Sport
6 June, 2025
Pink Panthers finding momentum
Momentum is starting to improve for the Gilgandra Pink Panthers as they continue to improve under Friday night lights.
A slow opening hurt Gilgandra in a 22-10 loss to Coonabarabran at Coonabarabran in Castlereagh league tag action last Friday, May 30.
It is the closest Gilgandra has been to a win in 2025, with the side next closest score being in round two when they went down 26-12 to Coonamble at Gilgandra on Friday, May 2.
“Similar story to the week before … slow start, strong finish,” Panthers president and Pink Panthers co-coach Shane Byrne said.
“It was 16-nil after around 10 minutes … the rest of the game was probably 10-6 in our favour.
“The girls stuck it out and hung in there.”
While the ball movement was excellent against Warren, in between the Warren and Coonabarabran fixtures the Pink Panthers worked on “earning the right” to spread the ball.
This involved structuring sets of six tackles smarter to go forward for a few plays to build territory and momentum before spreading the ball.
“This week we focused our getting our forwards going forward first,” Byrne said.
“It worked well. We went forward and then used the ball later in the set after we made a few metres. We did that very well this week.” Eva Raines, who played in the forwards, grabbed the three best and fairest points for Gilgandra. Eva also celebrated her 16th birthday.
Two points went to Kiara Brown in the halves while utility Skye Doherty picked up one point.
Brown and Doherty also scored Gilgandra’s tries with Brown also adding one conversion.
Buddie Knight, who came off the bench and into a play-making role, was players’ player.
Buddie plays in the side with her daughter Indy Knight and is an integral team member.
The Pink Panthers will work on defence and fitness tonight before resuming training the following week ahead of their next match on Friday, June 13 at McGrane Oval against Coolah.
Gilgandra will also continue to focus on its attack and building sequences of play to further challenge opposition sides.
“Just continue to work on getting out of own half as well, getting forward first before we spread the ball,” Byrne said.
Coonabarabran 22 (Anthea Karavas 2, Britney Andrews, Rachael Barron tries; Barron 3 goals) defeated Gilgandra 10 (Kiara Brown, Skye Doherty tries; Brown goal).
