Red Cliffs v Robinvale Euston
Quandong Park, 12pm
THINGS are looking way more cheery on the Quandong Park netball courts this SFNL A Grade season.
After finishing last on the ladder in 2024 with all of two wins and then receiving a massive beatdown in the opening game of this campaign at Wentworth, which was by no means totally unexpected, the Tigers are on the prowl.
Red Cliffs bounced back from the Roo rout to gain a gritty tie at Mildura the following week, had Easter off and then came back to stun reigning premiers Ouyen United last week – their first win over the Kangas in A Grade history.
A win today against winless Robinvale Euston and they equal last year’s win total and surpass their points tally of 2024; and there’s no reason to suggest that won’t happen.
Georgia Giofrelle’s Eagles fight hard each week and at home for the first time last week only just went down to South Mildura, 52-50.
Giofrelle is a livewire either in mid-court or as a shooter; Sarah Hepburn is a prolific scorer; youngster Evie Priest is coming along nicely; and Kirsten Neyland is a whole-hearted performer.
But they just appear under-sized at each end of the court – and those are areas Red Cliffs can exploit.
Coach Romany Bowen has her team humming with defender Varaninese Naquto and forward Zara Copley in dominant form – the latter nailing 40 goals last week against Ouyen United. Toss in the Parkers, Jorja and Jazmin, and Morna Naquto and that should be too much for the visitors.
PREDICTION: Tigers by 13
Wentworth v Irymple
George Gordon Oval, 12pm
IRYMPLE must be happy with their 2-0 start to the nascent season, but they can expect a major reality check when the head out to Rooland today.
Those two victories are certainly morale-boosters for the new-look Swallows squad, but they came against teams (South Mildura and Merbein) which have a win apiece from five combined games.
To say playing Wenty away will be a step up in class is akin to stating, “Usain Bolt was pretty quick”.
The Roos (2-0) are in a mean mood after going through all of 2024 undefeated only to be knocked off by Ouyen United in the grand final.
They crushed Red Cliffs in the opening round, travelled down the highway to pummel the reigning champs and have now had the Easter and Anzac breaks off to freshen up for the Swallows. That extended lay-off may hurt the hosts … yeah, nah.
Coach and gun shooter Amanda Edwards is not going to allow for any drop off and her battle-hardened team, which includes extra star power in versatile Elizabeth Rowe, defender Natalie Vercher and mid-courters Jessica Minter and Ashlee Cameron should be a class above the Swallows.
New coach and shooter Shelby Trigg has talent of her own to call upon with Sam Garraway and young Alice Leeder providing solid defence and Indi Spratt, Sophie Price and Shakara Delcastegne being consistent early season performers, but that’s unlikely to be enough today.
PREDICTION: Roos by 23
Ouyen United v Merbein
Blackburn Park, 12pm
OUYEN United are notoriously slow starters known for revving up at the business end of the season – a la 2024 when they roared down the straight late to claim the pennant.
After a 1-2 start to their title defence campaign, the Kangas might want to start thinking about shifting it up a gear or two soon as competition for top-five positions is looking like it will be considerably more difficult this season.
Merbein, just inside the five at 1-1, come visiting today and offer a tough but not daunting test for the veteran United outfit.
The Magpies held off Robinvale Euston at home in the first round and, after a bye, fell to Irymple away last week. They are a team very much finding themselves early in the season but have plenty of class in coach Johannah Gray, her sisters Emily and Sophie and wingers Vanessa Rodi and Teagan Pettigrew.
They are going to be a tricky proposition all season, but this is just the sort of game coach Tyra Nathan’s team needs to get its season properly rolling.
Centre Nathan, consistent shooters Catherine Brown and Mel Dyda and Ellen Morrish and Maya Scott should be able to get the hosts back on the winning track.
PREDICTION: Kangas by 10
South Mildura v Mildura
Mildura Sporting Precinct, 12pm
SOUTH Mildura broke its season duck last week with a hard-fought away win over Robinvale Euston.
They were made to toil all day by the Eagles before holding on for a two-point victory.
Coach Tara Bate, at centre, controlled things for the Bulldogs and was ably supported by keeper Ella Lane, wing defence Tayla Sellens and the shooting trio of Amy Lutze, Sophie Fox and Madison Jess.
They will need to be at their best today against Mildura as the undefeated table-topping Demons are rounding into peak form quicker than expected.
After a surprising first-round draw with Red Cliffs, they have racked up consecutive wins over Robinvale Euston and Imperials.
Today marks their first trip away from home this season, but that shouldn’t fuss the Dees too much.
They have talent and veteran leadership all over the court led by co-captains Ava Zadow and Jess McNamara, evergreen defender Sharon Watson and fellow veteran Demalza Henry.
Toss in exciting young goal shooter Ashleigh Morello, who has scored 54 goals in the past two games, and that should be enough to keep the Dogs at bay.
PREDICTION: Demons by 12
