Sides refreshed as season resumes

BOTH Mildura and South Mildura are hoping a short break off the netball court will do nothing to hinder their fine form this season.

As the SFNL A Grade teams go head-to-head today, Bulldogs coach Tara Bate said her side is feeling strong, and are looking to continue their six-game winning streak if possible.

“The winning streak has definitely helped boost our morale,” she said. “The girls are pretty high on life at the moment which is quite nice.

“If we can keep that going it’ll be even better again.

“I think having those wins under our belt definitely does help that’s for sure, and hopefully we can keep it up.”

Currently in fourth position on the ladder, Bate said he believes her team is heading into the back end of the season in a good spot, and are keeping up the training to ensure they can keep their momentum.

“As they always do, they turn up and they give 110 per cent, every one of them,” she said.

“Hopefully that just carries through to the game.”

The second-placed Demons, who will be under the leadership of assistant coach Jess McNamara for the next couple of weeks while coach Ellie Vincent is away, have also been putting in the hard yards at training in order to give themselves the best chance of success.

“It’s just making sure that we are consistent still with training and making sure we come into the game pumped and ready to go,” McNamara said.

While there is a bit of a gap in their line-up without goalie Vincent, McNamara said the versatility of the players will make it easier to fill that gap.

“It is definitely not great not having Ellie there, but at the same time I think we have got so many of those players that can be maneuvered and be able to come back and assist in that goals area,” she said.

“I think that is the blessing of our team.”

In other games, Robinvale Euston will host Imperials at John James Oval, Ouyen United will travel to George Gordon Oval to take on Wentworth, and Irymple will go up against Merbein on their home turf at Henshilwood Oval.