Mildura v Imperials
Brian Weightman Oval courts, 12pm
IT was Mildura’s turn last week to be taught a netball lesson by rampant Wentworth.
What the Demons learnt from that 25-goal loss should manifest itself today when they take on neighbours Imperials in the pick of round 10’s A Grade match-ups.
The Dees are still second on the ladder, but things are getting quite cosy at the top as winter sets in with only two points separating second from sixth, and that team just outside the five happens to be Imps.
On paper, you’d say Mildura would be solid favourites, but we all know where games aren’t played.
The Demons are solid at both ends of the court with Ava Zadow and Sharon Watson marshalling the defence and Jess McNamara and Ashleigh Morello potent near the posts and they have a host of interchangeable parts in the midcourt, but the team tends to go flat for periods in games, and they can’t afford to do that against Imps.
Ali Walker’s side is one of the more pleasant surprises of 2025 and is showing continual improvement as the season progresses.
The return of the McManus sisters, Meg and Maddy, has undoubtedly helped the cause but solid weekly efforts from small shooter Ebony Ietto, classy centre Tracie Sherlock and gritty winger Ella Hards are rounding the team in green into a very dangerous proposition.
PREDICTION: Demons by three goals.
Merbein v Irymple
Compound Accounting Park, 12pm
Merbein v Irymple
Compound Accounting Park, 12pm
IRYMPLE are another team stuck in the pack behind runaway leaders Wenty.
They surprisingly fell at home last week to Robinvale Euston after playing out a thrilling 50-50 tie against Red Cliffs at the same venue the week before, and should be primed to return to their winning ways against a Merbein side which has lost its way a bit in recent rounds.
The Magpies are still very much in the hunt for a finals berth and pushed Imperials hard last week before losing by five goals, but like every team not called Wentworth, consistency is a problem, and the Swallows could expose that again today.
The Gray sisters, coach Johannah, Emily and Sophie, goal attack Aimee Geyer and wing attack Vanessa Rodi contribute to the Merbein cause each week and the coach said the team is starting to gel together, but there’s still some way to go.
Irymple also have a new-look about them, but seem further advanced than the Pies.
The loss to the Eagles exposed some weaknesses but before that, under new coach Shelby Trigg, they had been looking solid.
The Swallows have plenty of scoring options including Trigg, Samantha Garraway and Tarlia Couzner, a solid midcourt led by Sophie Price, Indi Spratt and Evie Oldham and mean defence which features youngster Alice Leeder and Kasey Caristo.
That should be enough to get the job done.
PREDICTION: Swallows by eight goals.
Ouyen United v Red Cliffs
Blackburn Park, 12pm
OUYEN United and Red Cliffs appear to be teams heading in opposite directions.
The reigning champion Roos claimed just their second win of the season against bottom of the ladder South Mildura at home in round 8 before last week’s bye.
Meanwhile, Red Cliffs, who finished with the wooden spoon last year, are in the top five and on the improve.
The Tigers got the better of South last week and by a reasonable margin of 12 goals. That was their third win of the season but toss in two draws and we can make it four.
Romany Bowen’s side plays no-frills netball and it’s turning out to be quite effective.
Zara Copley and Jazmin Parker are tremendous scorers, but it’s the midcourt and defence which supplies the grunt work with Jorja Parker, the Naquto sisters, Morna and Varanisese, Yelena Richardson and impressive recruit Iliseva Sovau, who’s not available this week, leading the way.
If the Kangas want to even have a shot at defending their crown, they better start stringing some wins together and soon.
Catherine Brown and young Lexi Munro are evolving into a solid shooter pairing but more around the court is required from Kyra Nathan’s team before it’s too late.
PREDICTION: Tigers by five goals.
South Mildura v Robinvale Euston
Mildura Sporting Precinct, 12pm
AFTER a rocky start to the season, Robinvale Euston are starting to find some useful form.
The Eagles have snuck up to fourth in the standings with an even 4-4 record and could get well into the black today with a win over a battling South Mildura outfit.
Coach Georgia Giofrelle and shooter Sarah Hepburn have discovered some real chemistry near the net, Kirsten Neyland and Georgie Kelly provide flexibility between midcourt and defence and the return of wing attack Belle Giofrelle can’t be understated.
They come up against a team today that has struggled so far this campaign and is a far cry from the one which surprised many last season by making the finals.
At 2-6, that looks a long way off for Tara Bate’s Bulldogs this year.
Tall, young shooter Emma Mottram is one shining light and Bate, Alyse Ross, Amy Lutze and Macey Andriske battle hard, but the spark or chemistry of last year just doesn’t seem to be there at the moment.
PREDICTION: Eagles by 10 goals
