With consolidating a top-five position at stake, a depleted Merbein outfit will be missing eight players when they take on Ouyen United in the SNFL A Grade this weekend.
While it would normally be a fairly even match-up between the two sides, the long weekend has disadvantaged the Magpies, with several senior players unavailable.
This includes sisters Johanna, Emily and Sophie Gray, who leave a huge hole in Merbein’s A Grade line-up.
Both the Kangas and the Magpies have four wins and three losses this season, sitting in fourth and fifth respectively, and with less than 20 percent separating them.
Coach Breigh Hammet considers the weekend as an opportunity for younger and lower grade players to step up.
“It’ll be really good to see some of those young ones, and I think if we can keep our head, then it will be a good game. It is just about them not putting too much pressure on themselves,” Hammet said.
“That is not what the coaches or I expect – they have earned their spots up there, as long as they don’t be too hard on themselves.”
Those taking the next step for the Magpies include Rhiannon Jack and Gabby Maronne.
“That that is why we have training partners and some depth in the club, so that we can cope with weekends like this,” she said.
“We will just focus on our structures and remind everyone that even though you are coming up a grade, it is still just netball – it is the same structures, the same expectations, just at a higher level.”
Floating on the edge of the top five, Hammet is also acutely aware of the need to secure the win against the Kangas.
“Unfortunately it is not one of those seasons where you can sort of drop one and think, oh well. There is possibly only going to be a game in it at the end of the season, and we finished a game out last season, so we know how it feels,” Hammet said.
Coming off a solid win last weekend, Kangas coach Kyra Nathan said she felt her team was beginning to come into their own, and would be focusing on their defensive systems this weekend.
“We pride ourselves on really tight defence, and then our defenders bringing it down the court,” Nathan said.
Nathan said captain Esther Manley would be the key to pulling their defensive unit together, while all-rounder Casey Crothers also would play a pivotal role on the court.
“She (Crothers) just settles our side,” she said.
“She has played the last three games in the goals, and just gets better every week. We’re pretty lucky to have her.”
In other games, Robinvale-Euston will attempt to overcome the undefeated Wentworth at John James Oval, South Mildura take on the Imperials at Brian Weightman Oval, and Red Cliffs host Mildura at Quandong Park.
