TOP side Bambill get the chance to put more space between themselves and a key rival when they host second-placed Werrimull in A Grade action at the Mildura Senior College courts.
The undefeated Saints already have a six-point buffer at the top of the standings and that could extend to 10 over the Magpies if they take care of business against a team that has dropped only two games so far this season.
Werrimull finished off split round 6 last weekend with a comfortable win over fellow top four side Meringur in blustery conditions at the Lake. Coach Jolene Neyland, Chelsea Newey and ever-consistent centre Erin Sell led the charge for the Pies, but they and the rest of the black-and-white crew will need to be on top of their games today against the league pacesetters.
Apart from a draw with Cardross in round 6, the Saints have cruised through the first half of the schedule led by the likes of solid defenders Breigh Hammet, Tessa Houkamau and Roanna Gathercole. Bambill also boast the top offense in the comp which is usually a key ingredient in the recipe for sustained success.
Back at Lake Cullulleraine for the second week in a row, Meringur should further tighten their grip in the top-four pack, but it won’t be all that easy against reigning champions Nangiloc who have gotten off to a horror 1-6 start to their pennant defence but have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Coach Ginine Sluiter, Amber King, Chloe Nelson and Tamara Loveridge regularly feature among the Demons’ best, but the Kangaroos possess star power of their own in coaches Susan Wilson and Bella Connell, Christina Villiva and Madelyn McPhee.
In the day’s other game, the third-placed Lions welcome bottom side Gol Gol to the Cardross courts.
The Hawks have a victory on the board and battle hard in most of their games, but just keep coming up short despite the efforts of Jarae Johnson, Ally Stanborough, Emily Phillips and Co.
Cardross suffered a tough three-goal loss to Werrimull in round 7 and will be keen to get back on the winning trail and possibly leapfrog the Pies into second.
Centre Bronte Burgess has been in fine fettle for the Lions all season, as has deadly shooter Tamara Hamence, Lily Thompson and a host of others in the red, gold and blue.
PREDICTIONS: Saints by seven goals, Kangaroos by six and Lions by 14
