Wentworth v Mildura
USUALLY, a clash between the top two sides in a league inspires lots of excitement, but Wentworth have become a real buzzkill this SFNL A Grade season as they toss aside one opponent after the other.
Two rounds back, against Robinvale Euston, they didn’t look at their intimidating best in an 11-goal win but returned to their relentless selves last week to account for Merbein by 33.
Now, Mildura, coming off the bye, get their shot at the unbeaten juggernauts over at Wenty.
The Demons hold down second place on goal difference with a 4-2-1 record and look the team most likely to cause the Roos problems at the pointy end of the season.
In the forward circle they have ever reliable Jess McNamara and rising star Ashleigh Morello. Down back are stingy defenders Ava Zadow and Sharon Watson while Demalza Harris, Juliet Leng, Molly McDonald and Katelyn Challis patrol the midcourt.
When clicking, they are hard for any team to beat, but Amanda Edwards’ side is not “any team”.
They are simply the fastest, probably strongest and definitely most accurate team – passing and shooting – in the comp.
They can have off days but with an experienced, set line-up which includes shooting star Edwards, gun centre Ashlee Cameron, Natalie Vercher and Courtney Wakefield in defence and Kelsey Cameron and Molly Mangan on the wings they don’t come around often.
PREDICTION: Roos by 19 goals
Irymple v Robinvale Euston
NEW-look Irymple, under new coach Shelby Trigg, are rounding into form quite nicely and sit third on the ladder after a slight blip on their radar screen when they were held to a 50-50 draw by Red Cliffs at their home court.
Robinvale Euston, fourth on the ladder at 3-4, have also found their stride in recent rounds and have been the only team to get within touching distance of Wentworth so far in 2025, but a slight break is developing between the top three and the rest of the field and that could be increased this Saturday.
Coach and pocket dynamo Georgia Giofrelle has the Eagles working well together, and boasts major assets like shooter Sarah Hepburn, mid-courters Georgia Kelly and Taneh Romeo and dogged defenders Kirsten Neyland and Jorja Delcastegne; but the Swallows at home are always a tricky proposition.
Samantha Garraway and Trigg are potent around the net. Young defender Alice Leeder and Kasey Caristo are steady at the back and Shakara Delcastegne, Indi Spratt and Sophie Price are lively midcourt and that may be just a bit too much for the Eagles.
PREDICTION: Swallows by eight goals
Imperials v Merbein
IMPERIALS and Merbein are looming as part of a four-team battle for places four and five on the ladder.
The Magpies hold fifth, but only by the most slender of margins and a loss this Saturday would see them drop out of the five and the improving Imps possibly move in.
Last week, Merbein felt the wrath of Wentworth but had been in steady if unspectacular form prior to that, trading wins and losses.
The team out at Kenny Park is primarily driven by the Gray sisters, coach and defender Johannah, centre Sophie and goal attack Emily, but Rhiannon Jack, Vanessa Rodi, Teagan Pettigrew and Milla Tierney have also been valuable contributors this campaign.
Imperials have also been inconsistent this season but that’s a vast improvement on last year when the team struggled to a seventh-place finish.
Coach Ali Walker has her crew trending in the right direction and the re-inclusion of the McManus sisters, Meg and Maddy, after a year out, and consistent performances from centre Tracey Sherlock, keeper Kia Scott and wing Ella Hards make the team in green no easy out.
PREDICTION: Imps by two goals
Red Cliffs v South Mildura
Quandong Park, 12pm
RED Cliffs, last year’s wooden spooners, are knocking on the door of the five and on Saturday could walk right in when they host bottom of the table South Mildura.
Last week, thanks to the very late heroics of shooter Zara Copley, they salvaged a thrilling 50-50 draw at Irymple and, on form, would be expected to account for the Bulldogs.
Like quite a few teams in the comp, the Tigers are boosted by family power and Jazmin and Jorja Parker are a big part of the reason for the team’s rise this season along with the Naqutos, Morna and Varanisese, and a new arrival – the latter pair’s cousin Iliseva Sovau.
Red Cliffs’ coach Romany Bowen has her team playing an unrelenting style of netball which can rattle some opponents and is something the struggling Bulldogs will have to counter.
South appeared to be getting back on track after a poor start to the season but have slumped again and need wins soon to have a chance of making the finals.
They fell to fellow strugglers Ouyen United last week but have the talent to turn things around.
Emma Mottram, Amy Lutze and Sophie Fox are dangerous shooters and coach Tara Bate, Alyse Ross, Tayla Sellens and Macey Andriske are busy in defence and midcourt, but that might not be enough against the black and golds.
PREDICTION: Tigers by 11 goals
