North Warrnambool Eagles get 2021 netball season back on track

A defensive masterclass helped the Skye Billings-coached side surprise reigning premier Koroit at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Billings said the back court of Rachel Batten, Jordyn Murphy and Georgia Corbett was crucial in the Eagles' 45-32 win.

"I was very happy with our defensive end today," she said.

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"That was a big goal, obviously (Koroit goal shooter) Nell (Mitchell) is so destructive when she's on her A-game, nobody can stop her.

"A big goal was to stop the feeds into her and put as much pressure as we could outside the ring to help the girls in the ring."

North Warrnambool Eagles, which improved their win-loss record to 2-3, burst out to a 15-7 lead at quarter-time to rattle Koroit, which was without Rachel Dobson, Molly McLaren and Layla Monk.

Billings said that helped build a positive vibe on court.

"We are all about supporting each other and trying to help each other," she said.

"It really helps because if somebody is down we're going to get around them and lift somebody's spirits. It's much like a sisterhood."

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Billings fell and hurt her hand and finished on the sidelines.

Koroit coach Danielle McInerney, who credited the Eagles' pressure for unsettling her young side, had to move the magnets with teenager Meg Carlin making her debut in the goals and Tayla McInerney - the coach's niece - playing a half on top of her game in A reserve.

Millie Jennings impressed again in her first season at the club.

"She has been our most consistent and has really secured her spot in that open side," McInerney said.

In other round five games, Cobden extended its winning streak to five with a 60-40 victory against Hamilton Kangaroos and South Warrnambool was too strong for Port Fairy, winning 58-28.

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