Nathalia too good for Tatura in NCWL season opener

By Liam Nash

Apr 4, 2023

Ground ball: Nathalia skipper Caitlyn Price contests with Tatura’s Sarah Pearson. Photo by Megan Fisher

Nathalia has picked up where it left off, with the Northern Country Women’s League reigning premier beginning its title defence in flawless fashion.

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The Purples were polished in all aspects as Simon Quarrell’s charges ran over the top of Tatura to seal a 15.16 (106) to 0.4 (4) win in the season opener.

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Marching ahead: Nathalia’s Caitlyn Price. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Lining up: Nathalia’s Marni Hicks. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Here’s Brucey: Nathalia’s Sarah Bruce is crowded by Tatura players. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Options: Nathalia’s Teneisha Deery. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Running hard: Tatura’s Sarah Green. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Moving about: Nathalia’s Payton Hearn. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Hunting down: Nathalia’s Aimee Sidebottom. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Coming in hot: Tatura’s Sarah Miller chases down Nathalia’s Courtney Ladgrove. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Leap of faith: Nathalia’s Kendal Judd rises high over Tatura’s Gemma Hawks. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Off and away: Nathalia’s Caitlyn Price skips away from Tatura’s Sarah Pearson. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Clamped: Nathalia’s Kendal Judd is wrapped up by Tatura’s Emily McClure. Photo by Megan Fisher

Kiara Cooper and Abby Favaro combined for nine of Nathalia’s majors, with the visiting side only growing stronger as time went by.

Hayley Cooke and Sarah Lange-Richards impressed for Tatura.

Meanwhile, Echuca hit its straps in round one as the Murray Bombers dispatched Shepparton United by 101 points at Victoria Park.

The Demons kept pace with last year’s grand finalist in the opening stanza with 12 points the difference at the first break, but United ran out of gas as Echuca stepped on the pedal to score a 17.7 (109) to 1.2 (8) triumph.

Jodie Lake starred for the bottle greens with six goals.

In the youth girls’ division, Shepparton Swans romped to a 90-point win over Nathalia, while Moama held firm at home to secure a 12.4 (76) to 2.5 (17) victory.