Red Cliffs v Mildura
THEIR first-round encounter ended in a thrilling 46-all stalemate, so how’s this one going to end up?
In a clash of styles which will pit Mildura’s free-running game against Red Cliffs’ physicality, the edge would seem to favour the visiting Demons.
Although, the No. 2 side on the ladder will be without the services of shooter Jess McNamara, ace defender Ava Zadow filled in for her co-coach quite nicely last week and put up a lazy 47 goals against Imperials in a comfortable derby game win.
Combine that with the continued improvement of young goal attack Ashleigh Morello, a staunch defence led by veteran Sharon Watson and Zadow’s replacement in the GD bib, Katelyn Challis, and a solid midcourt piloted by Molly McDonald and the Dees look the main threat to runaway A Grade leaders Wentworth.
But, and this is a big but, Red Cliffs, under the tutelage of Romany Bowen, have risen from wooden spooners last year to fourth on the table at just past the halfway point of this season.
They may not play the prettiest version of the game going around, but what they do with their hustle and bustle style is mighty effective.
The sister combinations of Naqutos (Morna and Varanisese) and Parkers (Jorja and Jazmin) wreak havoc all over the court and they will be rejoined by elite defender and Naquto cousin Iliseva Sovau.
Toss in the sublime shooting skill of Zara Copley and this is a Tiger team you don’t want to mess with.
PREDICTION: Demons by four goals
Robinvale Euston v Merbein
THERE’S very little separating teams chasing fifth on the ladder and a finals berth.
Robinvale Euston currently hold that tenuous place with 16 points but that is only four ahead of eight-placed South Mildura.
Included in that hunting pack are Merbein, also only four adrift, but with a chance to close that gap out east today.
The Eagles were rocked by South last weekend in a game they were expected to win at the Precinct and coach and goal attack Georgia Giofrelle will be keen to right the ship quick smart.
Her fellow sniper, Sarah Hepburn, is having a tremendous year and the return of sister Belle along with the consistency of keeper Kirsten Neyland and centre Taneh Romeo have the Eagles just in the red with a 4-5 record.
The Magpies are at 3-6 and after a solid start are starting to wobble. They only just lost to third-placed Irymple by two goals last week but are trending in the wrong direction.
A lot of their momentum comes from the Gray sisters, coach Johannah, Emily and Sophie, along with centre Teagan Pettigrew and wing attack Vanessa Rodi but losses, no matter how close, can put the brakes on campaigns rather quickly.
PREDICTION: Eagles by nine goals
Imperials v South Mildura
LAST week saw a reversal of fortunes for Imperials and South Mildura.
The upstart Imps, who appeared poised to sneak into the top five, were trounced by Mildura 68-31 while the struggling Bulldogs regained some of their bite with an impressive home win over Robinvale Euston.
Slumping badly, Tara Bate’s side pulled off the shock of the round and kept their finals ambitions alive.
Shooters Amy Lutze and Sophie Fox were lethal around the net, Macey Andriske and Regan Zaxos solid at the back and Bate typically dogged midcourt.
Meanwhile, Imps gave coach Ali Walker little to cheer about.
They were swamped from the start and were down 22-4 to the Demons at the first break.
Defender Kia Scott, centre Tracey Sherlock and Meg McManus, who played in defence and attack, fought hard in the losing cause but it was just one of those days for the team in green who have played some pretty good netball this season and are still knocking on the door to the five.
In their home kennel again, the Bulldogs just might have a slight edge.
PREDICTION: Bulldogs by four goals
Wentworth v Ouyen United
TALK about reversal of fortunes!
Last year’s grand finalists meet again with the reigning premiers wallowing at the bottom of the standings and last year’s runners-up, who were overwhelming favourites to win that crown, riding high at the top with nary a challenger in sight.
Pennant holders Ouyen United simply can’t take a trick this year and a six-goal loss to Red Cliffs last week compounded their woes and reduced them to a sad 2-7 record.
Last year’s genie seems to have escaped the bottle and coach Kyra Nathan is having a helluva a time trying to put it back in.
Nathan, at centre, wing attack Megan Jardine and shooter Fiona Sanford fought it out until the end for the Kangas last round but the magic of ’24 appears to have dissipated to vapours.
On the other hand, the Roos are running amok in ’25 and have set a catch-me-if-you-can pace no team seems able to keep up with.
Well rested after a bye, they should have little trouble pouring more cold water on Ouyen United’s season.
Coach Amanda Edwards is a force of nature near the posts averaging 41.5 goals per game and she has plenty of happy playmates who include keeper Natalie Vercher, wing attack Molly Mangan, goal defence Courtney Wakefield and centre Jessica Minter.
PREDICTION: Roos by 33 goals
