COMING off a two-week break and facing an undefeated opponent without your star shooter is one hell of an unfortunate combination.
Irymple’s SFNL A Grade netball side face that prospect on Saturday when they clash with ladder leaders Wentworth sans leading scorer Steph O’Loughlin. After 200 goals in her opening five games, the goal shooter suffered a dislocated ankle in their last contest against Mildura, which could put her out for the season.
It’s less than ideal for the Swallows, especially taking on the might of the Roos, however star player Shakara Delcastegne said the side would try a few different options to partner with Sherrie Geister.
“It’s a big blow for us, but we’ve got a couple of options we can try,” she said. “We have a couple of our younger girls, Jorja (Delcastegne) and Mackenzie Wade, who could play alongside Sherrie.
“Mackenzie has played really well in defence but she’s really good at both ends of the court, so that gives us some flexibility.
“It will be a bit of a trial run for us to see how it goes up there and having to do that against a team as good as Wentworth isn’t ideal, but we can’t do much about that.
“It’s a massive match-up for us … but we’ll do the best we can.”
Delcastegne said while there were some nerves ahead of the first game back after lockdown, her side was excited about the challenge.
“We like being the underdogs and hopefully we can get a few wins with that mentality,” she said.
In other contests, Imperials and South Mildura will meet at Gol Gol, both sides on three wins to start the season.
Due to a logjam of teams from fourth to sixth, the Green Machine and the Bulldogs will want to get some separation from the others.
After their first win of the season against Red Cliffs just before the lockdown, Robinvale Euston come up against reigning premiers Ouyen United at Euston.
On Sunday, Red Cliffs and Merbein will do battle on neutral territory at George Gordon Oval.
The Tigers are still chasing their first A Grade win since 2014, while Magpies will hope to add to their solitary victory in 2021.
