Irymple v Mildura
Henshilwood Oval courts, 12pm
FAMILIAR foes Irymple and Mildura will battle it out at the Henshilwood Oval courts today, both in the SFNL A Grade top five but coming off losses.
Out at Dareton, the Swallows were soundly thrashed by rampant hosts Wentworth by 41 goals, while the Demons lost a heartbreaker to South Mildura at the Precinct by a goal at the siren.
Those were the first defeats of the season for both outfits and they will obviously be keen to get back to their winning ways in a game which could go either way.
Irymple have the home edge, if that counts for much, and looked solid in their first two games before being run over by the Roos.
New playing coach Shelby Trigg is still working out what combinations work best at the blue-and-yellow nest.
Mid-courter Indi Spratt is ever-reliable, youngsters Sophie Price and Alice Leeder along with Bambill import Samantha Garraway form the base of a solid defence and Trigg is an ever-present danger near the net.
It’s just a matter of getting the parts to work together.
That will be a tough task against the Dees, who will most likely be without key defender Sharon Watson but welcome co-coach and defensive stalwart Ava Zadow and star young shooter Ashleigh Morello back to a strong, experienced group after fulfilling Heat basketball duties last week.
The potential Leeder-Morello match-up will be well worth watching – as will the scoreboard, which should see close figures right to the end.
PREDICTION: Demons by three goals
Imperials v Wentworth
Brian Weightman Oval courts, 12pm
WELL, you’ve gotta play ’em some time.
Imperials have the honour of hosting the threshing machine known as Wentworth this week.
The Roos are 3-0 and dominating both ends of the court – and middle too – as they seek to atone for their grand final fade last year which cost them a hat-trick of pennants.
Coach Amanda Edwards, the most dangerous shooter in the league, leads the charge and is averaging more than 50 goals a game.
She also has plenty of allies to help her out including lockdown defenders Courtney Wakefield and Natalie Vercher, Molly Mangan and Georgia Chase on the wings and Ashlee Cameron in the pivot.
Imps are an improving team under the guidance of coach Ali Walker and the return of experienced sisters Meg and Maddy McManus has boosted their cause no end.
Shooters Ebony Ietto and Ebony Littore have also started the season well.
But this is a way too tough task for Imps against a team on a dead-set mission in 2025.
PREDICTION: Roos by 43 goals
Robinvale Euston v Ouyen United
John James Oval courts, 12pm
THE league is waiting for reigning champions Ouyen United to wake up, but the Roos are still in snooze mode.
After four games they sit at the bottom of the standings with a 1-3 record and just don’t seem to be clicking.
Sure, they are renowned for late-season charges, but they’d want to get cracking soon.
Maybe today’s the day to get back on track out at Robinvale.
But that’s not going to be an easy task against an Eagles team which notched its first win of year when it upset Red Cliffs 57-48 at the Tigers’ lair last week.
Robinvale Euston always seem under-sized, but they play with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, led by coach and livewire mid-courter/shooter Georgia Giofrelle.
Fellow marksman Sarah Hepburn and defenders Kirsten Neyland and Jorja Delcastegne have also shown solid early form for the building team.
But this is a big opportunity for the Kangas to finally get their season rolling.
Centre and coach Kyra Nathan remains the on-court leader, former Adelaide Thunderbird shooter Melissa Dyda is a lively target, utility Catherine Brown is strong
in both circles and Ellen Morrish remains her consistent self, but more is required from the other Kangas.
PREDICTION: Kangas by three goals
Merbein v South Mildura
Kenny Park courts, 12pm
THE Magpies and Bulldogs are coming off impressive wins last week and will be keen to enhance their places in the top five at Merbein this afternoon.
The Pies headed down to Ouyen and promptly romped past the premiers 53-30.
The Gray sisters, Sophie, Emily and coach Johannah, dominated their sections of the court along with goal keeper Keita McKee and goal shooter Darcy Chilton in an overall even team effort.
The Dogs found it considerably tougher against the Demons at the Precinct and it took a goal at the siren by Sophie Fox after a great feed from coach Tara Bate to snare a 45-44 triumph after a tough, tight battle.
Macey Andriske and Regan Zaxos were outstanding in defence while Alyce Ross and Tayla Sellens provided Bate with plenty of mid-court support.
After an 0-2 start to the season, South have evened the ledger and are starting to look a lot like the dangerous 2024 version which surprised some by making the finals.
Of this weekend’s games, maybe this is the toughest to call.
PREDICTION: Magpies by two goals
