So much to gain, so much to loose

Tym Glaser

Robinvale Euston v Red Cliffs

John James Oval courts, 12pm

A lot is on the line today when Robinvale Euston host Red Cliffs.

A win for the visitors could see them vault past Irymple and to third on the SFNL A Grade ladder. A loss would see them drop to a precarious fifth position.

For the hosting Eagles, a victory would drive them up to fourth while defeat could significantly weaken their hold in the top five with Merbein, South Mildura and Imperials still within striking distance.

Both sides have been pleasant surprises this season in differing on-court ways. Robinvale Euston play a quick-paced game which seems to bother ladder leaders Wentworth more than any other while Red Cliffs’ game is built on tenacious all-court pressure.

The Tigers haven’t been in action since a win over Imps at the end of June and should be rearing to go led by star goal shooter Zara Copley, the sister combos of Morna and Varanisese Naquo and Jazmin and Jorja Parker and solid defender Ili Sovau.

But they will have plenty of running around to do trying to keep track of coach and goal attack/midcourter Georgia Giofrelle, her wing attack sister Belle, centre Taneh Romeo and goal shooter Sarah Hepburn.

Prediction: Eagles by four goals

Merbein v Ouyen United

Compound Accounting Park, 12pm

THE door to post-season action remains ajar for Merbein but a home loss today to Ouyen United could see it all but snap shut.

The Magpies pulled off a must-winner at Compound Accounting Park against South Mildura before the interleague hiatus, which kept them in sixth place, but there is even less margin for error now with only four rounds in the regular season to go after this weekend.

The driving forces behind Merbein’s low-scoring, five-goal win over the Bulldogs were again the Gray girls, coach and defender Johannah, goal attack Emily and midcourter Sophie, along winger Vanessa Rodi and centre/wing attack Tasharni Hynes.

But, that only raised their season record to 4-8 and they need to win out from here to have a realistic shot at finals action.

Fortunately, they come up against a team that has devolved from premiership winners to cellar dwellers in less than a year.

The Kangas charged late last year to snatch the pennant away from Wentworth in the grand final and despite a slow start to this campaign, United were expected to launch another late-season rally.

That hasn’t materialised, in fact, they have continued to decline.

Mel Dyda has been strong in defence and goal attack Catherine Brown, coach and midcourter Kyra Nathan and Megan Jardine give their all, but United haven’t been able to recapture lightning in a bottle this year.

PREDICTION: Magpies by seven goals

Irymple v Wentworth

Henshilwood Oval Reserve, 12pm

IT’S the team no side really wants to face, particularly at the sharper end of the season but, like it or not, it’s your turn Irymple.

The third-placed Swallows host unbeaten Wentworth and they could drop out of that coveted double-chance spot with a loss and a Red Cliffs win.

Before the week off, they battled hard at Mildura but just couldn’t quite haul the home side in and fell by six goals.

Coach Shelby Trigg, shooter Tarlia Couzner, Shakara Delcastegne and defenders Alice Leeder and Samantha Garraway stood out for Irymple against the league’s No. 2 side but today will be another step up in class.

Hardly a team has gotten within 10 goals of Wenty this year – although Robinvale Euston have gone close twice.

After last season’s shock grand final loss, Amanda Edwards’ side is on a revenge mission and the goal shooting phenom is leading from the front, regularly putting up 40-plus points per game and notching up a half century against Imperials last round.

However, it’s not just the Edwards show.

The Roos just have so much depth over every part of the court from Natalie Vercher and Courtney Wakefield in defence through a midcourt which includes Molly Mangan and Ashlee Cameron and up to the deadly Edwards.

PREDICTION: Roos by 22 goals

Mildura v South Mildura

Brian Weightman Oval courts, 12pm

IF one side has a chance of landing meaningful blows against juggernaut Wentworth at the business end of the season, it’s Mildura.

The Demons have evolved through the year and are rounding into the type of team co-coaches Ava Zadow and Jess McNamara envisaged at the start of the campaign.

It all starts at the back and flows forward for the Dees.

Veteran defender Sharon Watson remains the ultimate on-court leader whether partnering with either Zadow or McNamara and either versatile coach can form a dangerous shooting partnership with young Ashleigh Morello.

Molly McDonald anchors an under-rated midcourt which also includes veteran Demalza Henry and Katelyn Challis.

That should be too much for Tara Bate’s Bulldogs to cope with. South remain mathematically in the finals race but, like Merbein and Imperials, have little wiggle room.

The loss to the Magpies just before the week off did their chances no good at all and things get no easier today.

Macey Andriske and Amy Lutze are an emerging forward combination and Regan Zaxos and Ellen Brewster are reliable defenders, but the Doggies aren’t as deep as other teams and that has hurt last year’s surprise finalists this campaign.

PREDICTION: Demons by 17 goals