CARDROSS are the only side to have taken points off undefeated ladder leaders Bambill this year and those two – from a round six draw – could prove extremely valuable this Saturday as the MFNL’s A Grade regular season reaches its climax.
The four is set, but the double chance is up for grabs with three teams in the hunt for second and the prized double chance.
Werrimull tenuously hold that spot on 32 points. That’s just two ahead of the Lions and four ahead of late-charging reigning premiers Nangiloc, whom they visit on Saturday.
If the Magpies win, they hold second, but a Nangi victory would see them pass Werrimull on points differential.
That’s where Cardy and those pesky two points come in. All the Lions have to do is beat fifth-placed Meringur at Lake Cullulleraine and hope for a Pies loss to snatch second.
Got all that?
Most eyes will be on Nangiloc Recreation Reserve. The teams split their previous two encounters, but the Dees won their most recent game down at the Lake by 10 goals.
That should hold them in good stead, and they are also coming off their biggest victory of the season – a 70-44 beatdown of Cardross last week.
Defenders Ginine Sluiter and Sienna Charles propelled the team forward and shooters Chloe Nelson, Amber King and Tamara Loveridge feasted on the pickings.
The Magpies also had a solid win of their own, but that 52-36 effort was against bottom side Gol Gol.
Centre Erin Sell was her usual consistent self, Chelsea Newey potent in the circle and keeper Cassie Morris solid at the back, but this will be a substantially tougher challenge.
Meringur have had their moments this season, but they have been few and far between – as their 5-9 record attests.
They should provide few problems for Cardy, despite their chastening defeat last week.
Lily Thompson, Gypsy Gange and Amy Johnson were among the Lions’ better players on the day, and they will be expected to shine on Saturday with so much at stake.
Meanwhile, Bambill will finish the season undefeated when they account for the one-win Hawks across the river.
Gol Gol have been competitive this season – just not for four quarters each week and that’s not going to cut it against the pennant favourites.
Emily Phillips, Ally Stanborough and Maka Clarke have been among the Hawks’ best regularly, but the Saints, led by Erin Hird, Kaylie Monaghan, centre Tayla Davison-Armao and Maddy Tormey, have too many guns to quiet.
PREDICTIONS: Demons by seven goals, Lions by 14, Saints by 21
