As we move closer to the business end of the season with finals looming on the netball horizon, percentages and consistent team performance become crucial components of match play. Both Oakdale and Matrics will be earnest in consolidating their finals chances so the pressure is on both teams to out together performances that aid their finals ambitions.
Both teams opened the match with slick passages of attacking play. As teams stepped up their defensive pressure, the movement of both player and ball became more measured forcing reoffers and resets before scoring opportunities emerged!. Tom Cross ever the playmaker at wing attack for Matrics was their gun in attack from the get go and Aaron Edmeade, Oakdale goal shooter was having impact early. Josh Searle’s defensive pressure had William Sampson having to work hard to find space and bring goal shooter Alec  Davis into the game. As teams settled it went goal for goal until the Matrics defensive duo of Steve Braun and Liam Cornish’s restrictions of circle space and strong aerial defence  forced errors from Oakdale resulting in Matrics taking a four goal lead as the quarter closed.
First quarter scores:
Matrics 16 - Oakdale 12

Tom Cross’s work rate a wing attack was phenomenal and he can change direction on a sixpence. His second phase offering is brilliant and stood out in what was a fairly scrappy start to the second quarter with errors in passing and timing of leads by both teams. The combination of William Sampson at goal attack and the creative general Tom Cross fired up Matrics and brought Alec Davis into focus with his shooting accuracy and Matrics went on a scoring spree! Liam Cornish’s strong rebounding and pressure combined with Braun caused Oakdale passing errors , missed goals and hesitation in attack. A big quarter for Matrics out scoring Oakdale by 11 goals, 19 to 8.
Second quarter scores:
Matrics 35 - Oakdale 20

Trish Warren Oakdale coach rung several changes bringing into shooter Jordan Goggins, Edmeade to goal attack and Lucas Guilin to the wing. This moved paid immediate dividends as their attack end began to fire with fluid passages of play to deliver ball to Goggins who scored. Alec Davis at the other end was given strong support onto and around the goal circle by tireless Darren Vi. Both teams increased defensive pressure across all positions as coaches made several more positional changes looking for more cohesion and open passages of play. Oakdale showed signs of challenging Matrics flow particularly through the combination of Gulin and centre, Tyson Gerrie who ably set up Goggins. A highlight was the continued masterful application of the dodge by Tom Cross, it is classic netball for the purist and a delight to watch as the boys these days don’t generally use this ploy to effect!
It was an even pegging albeit patchy quarter which Oakdale won by 1 goal, 15 to Matrics 14.
Third quarter scores:
Matrics 49.     Oakdale 35

Again coaches rung changes as both teams went into the final quarter looking for consistency. Led by the trio of Sampson, Davis and the irrepressible Tom Cross, Matrics put the foot on the accelerator with strong open attacking play, precision passing and a fired up defensive effort across all positions. They didnt relax and built a final quarter that showed if they could string four quarters together like that, that they have the capacity be a threat come finals.
Matrics won the final quarter 21 to Oakdale 10.
Final scores:
Matrics 70 - Oakdale 45.

William Sampson’s journey into netball has a familiar ring to it, interest piqued by watching mum and sisters play, despite playing football when a youngster. Will’s potential talent was spotted by State Open coach Brian Lines at the Thunderbirds Talent Academy resulting in Will trialling for and gaining selection in the 2023 State 23 team who competed in the AAMNA Perth nationals. William won silver as runners up to Victoria as well as being awarded  the Ian Corbett Medal for Best on Court in the match SA. Versus WA.
He was selected in the AA 20 and Under team and was then promoted to the AA 23 team.
Again representing SA in the 23,s, in Brisbane in 2024. Will again won silver as runner up, earned MVP in the Grand Final and his talent drew the attention of Kelpies coach, Nerida Stewart who asked William to train with this elite team. Most recently William represented Australia in the 23’s Trans Tasman Cup series against New Zealand.
William’s immediate goal is the Super League Premiership followed by Open State representation in the not too distant future! Will also is a B badged umpire and is a member of the Netball SA Premier League umpiring squad. Currently studying a Bachelor of Science at Adelaide University Will is only 20 years of age. In the two years that he has been playing netball William has achieved remarkable success. With a strong eye on the future William is a player to watch. He plays with much grace and flair and given his clear goals both short and long term supported by an understanding of how to realise them William Sampson is assured of success as he clearly is a player of the future.