Mildura v Merbein
SURPRISE side Merbein, third on a tightly bunched Sunraysia Football Netball League A Grade ladder, get a great opportunity to strengthen their grip in the top five and show they are a real threat this season when they visit second-placed Mildura today.
A 3-2 record is nothing to get overly excited about at this stage of the season, and a home loss to unpredictable Red Cliffs last week doesn’t exactly inspire great confidence in the Magpies, but coach Johannah Gray has the team trending in the right direction and Mildura, who just got by struggling Ouyen United last week, have looked vulnerable at times on their way to a 3-2-1 mark.
Gray and her sisters Emily and Sophie, wings Vanessa Rodi and Teagan Pettigrew and goal attack Tasharni Hynes have been the primary forces behind the team’s solid start to 2025 and will provide tricky matchups for the Demons, who haven’t been able to keep their best squad consistently on the court – primarily due to other sporting commitments and engagements.
When close to full strength, the Dees look the most likely challenger to the class of the league, Wentworth.
Co-coach Ava Zadow and Sharon Watson are as good a defensive duo as there is in the competition. Veterans Katelyn Challis and Demelza Henry are solid in mid-court and shooters Jess McNamara and Ashleigh Morello are more than a handful near the net.
On face value, this game is Mildura’s to lose, but it could also be a coming out party for the Magpies.
PREDICTION: Demons by two goals
Red Cliffs v Imperials
TWO unpredictable teams lodged in the mid-table ruck meet at Quandong Park today and you would have more luck finding the winner reading tea leaves than through any sort of form line.
Hosts Red Cliffs (2-2-1) have nudged their way into fifth after stunning Merbein away last week while Imperials (2-3) pulled off a shock of their own when they upset Irymple at the Swallows’ nest.
Both have a liberal smattering of talent, but consistency is neither’s calling card.
Solid defence got Imps over the line last weekend and the Green Machine will be looking for more of the same from goal defence Maggie Monaghan and centre and master of the intercept Tracey Sherlock against the Tigers.
Ella Hards was also busy at wing attack and Kia Scott and Meg McManus was dangerous in the circle along with Ebony Ietto.
After an opening round thrashing from Wentworth, Red Cliffs have been steadily improving.
Shooter Zara Copley is the team’s primary form gauge and she was in top form against Merbein last week with 32 goals. Jazmin Parker chimed in with 16 and Morna Naquto and Yelena Richardson were stingy in defence.
And the tea leaves say …
PREDICTION: Red Cliffs by seven goals
Ouyen United v Irymple
IRYMPLE, smarting from an upset home loss to Imperials, will be out to erase that blip on their radar screen when they head down the road to Ouyen.
The defending champs have gotten off to a horrid start to the season and look ripe for the picking after recording their fifth loss of the season at Mildura.
Ouyen United coach Kyra Nathan has her work cut out now trying to turn the team’s form around before it’s too late.
Centre Nathan has been her usual industrious self, while Ellen Morrish is rounding into form and shooter Catherine Brown is a reliable target in the circle, but things just aren’t clicking for the Kangas, and the Swallows should be able to take advantage.
Coach Shelby Trigg has plenty of talent to call upon including wings Sophie Price and Indi Spratt, young keeper Alice Leeder and reliable shooter Tarlia Couzner and that should be enough to keep the Kangas tethered to the bottom of the table.
PREDICTION: Swallows by 16 goals
Wentworth v Robinvale Euston
THINGS are looking considerably brighter at Robinvale Euston after two recent victories, but the Eagles are going to get a major reality check today when they head off to the George Gordon Oval courts and a date with unbeaten Wentworth.
Coach Georgia Giofrelle has got her team heading in the right direction after a tough start to the season and shooter Sarah Hepburn, centre Carmen Garreffa and keeper Kirsten Neyland, among others, are enjoying the ride.
But as keen as the Eagles may be, they are facing a Roos outfit whose lowest margin of victory has been 39 goals so far this year.
The red, white and blues simply dominate every facet of the game and even when slightly off, they manage to turn things around on court in a flash.
Coach and prolific scorer Amanda Edwards is the driving force, but Wenty have winners everywhere.
Natalie Vercher and Christie Becker are lockdown defenders while Ashlee Cameron, Georgia Chase, Molly Mangan and Kelsey Cameron dominate mid court.
The Roos have got to have at least one poor game this season, don’t they?
But, it just won’t be today.
PREDICTION: Roos by 43 goals
