Mildura v Irymple
Brian Weightman Oval courts, 12pm
THE battle for second on the A Grade ladder intensifies this Saturday when the Demons host the Swallows.
Mildura hold that spot with a four-point lead and a substantial percentage edge, but Irymple have a useful game in hand.
In an SFNL netball world without Wentworth, the Dees would be both the most prolific and miserly team in the comp, which is a great recipe for success.
Jess McNamara and Ashleigh Morello have formed a dangerous shooting partnership and Ava Zadow and Sharon Watson are dynamic in defence. Oh, if need be, Zadow can also switch forward and shoot a lazy 40-plus points or so, and McNamara can move back into defence.
Meanwhile, somewhat under-rated Molly McDonald anchors a more than solid midcourt on a team that appears to be the only legitimate challenger to the Roos.
That’s not to under-rate Irymple, who are improving week after week under the guidance of first-year coach Shelby Trigg.
Tarlia Couzner and Trigg are starting to gel in the forward half of the court and young defender Alice Leeder and Samantha Garraway are solid at the back while Shakara Delcastegne leads the middle third which also includes Indi Spratt and Sophie Price.
Both teams like to move the ball fast and clean which should make this encounter even more enthralling.
PREDICTION: Demons by five goals
South Mildura v Merbein
Mildura Sporting Precinct, 12pm
SOUTH Mildura’s late charge for a finals berth continues this Saturday at the MSP courts against struggling Merbein.
The Bulldogs’ 4-6 record hardly impresses but two of those wins came immediately before last week’s bye in what has been a season of lulls and surges for the home team.
South have struggled to keep a regular line-up on the court but when the stars align, they look a lot like the side which made the finals last year.
Coach and centre Tara Bate runs the show, but star shooter Sophie Fox is the primary key to the team’s success. She is well supported by Amy Lutze at attack while defenders Macey Andriske and Regan Zaxos and wingers Tayla Sellens and Alyse Ross can also influence games. It’s just a matter of getting them all on court at the same time.
Merbein’s chances of reaching post-season action are slim at best as with a 3-8 record they basically have to win all their remaining games and hope for teams above them – like the Dogs – to stumble, but where there’s hope …
The talent is there at Kenny Park led by coach and gun defender Johannah Gray, her sisters Emily and Sophie, Vanessa Rodi and Teagan Pettigrew but the team seems to have on-court lapses at important times which cost it dearly.
PREDICTION: Bulldogs by seven goals
Wentworth v Imperials
George Gordon Oval courts, 12pm
IMPERIALS’ promising start to the season has received a severe reality check over the past few weeks and thing are not going to get any better this Saturday at Wentworth.
The team in green had been poised on the edge of the five for most of the year but that has slipped in recent weeks, and a loss would all but mathematically end their finals dreams.
Ali Walker’s side has improved massively on last year but remains prone to fadeouts, particularly at the start of games, which have put them in holes they haven’t been able to emerge from.
Last week, against another improved outfit, Red Cliffs, Imps were right in the game until a third quarter collapse saw them concede 18 goals while only adding 12 of their own.
Meg McManus was a yo-yo between defence and attack. Indefatigable Tracie Sherlock put in another strong effort at centre and young shooters Charlotte Littore and Ebony Ietto show great promise for the future but that’s going to be nowhere near enough against the undefeated Roos.
Wenty were again challenged by Robinvale Euston last week before winning by 10 goals and maybe the Eagles’ quick style of play shows the slightest of chinks in the Roos’ armour, but 10 goals is still a pretty handy margin.
Coach and unstoppable shooting force Amanda Edwards had 52 goals in that win while Natalie Vercher and Courtney Wakefield remain the best defensive combo in the league and Jessica Minter and Georgia Chase lead a fast, versatile midcourt crew.
PREDICTION: Roos by 27 goals
Ouyen United v Robinvale Euston
Blackburn Park, 12pm
ROBINVALE Euston should consolidate their place in the top five and leap up to fourth with a win over beleaguered Ouyen United.
The Eagles, for the second time this season, troubled runaway ladder leaders Wentworth before falling by 10 goals at home last week and their fast, hustling style of play should comfortably account for the Kangas, who have slumped to the bottom of the table; a shocking decline for the team which won last year’s pennant.
After an indifferent start to the season, Robinvale Euston have found a formula and a line-up that works for them.
It starts at the front with coach and goal attack Georgia Giofrelle and shooter Sarah Hepburn creating no small amount of headaches for defenders while Belle Giofrelle’s return to the squad has substantially boosted a midcourt which already featured Taneh Romeo and Kirsten Neyland.
Meanwhile, the Kangas are unravelling despite the efforts of playing coach Kyra Nathan, Tsharni Burns, shooter Catherine Brown and utility Mel Dyda.
The magic United caught in a bottle late last year on their way to the title has disappeared completely and with the league becoming ever more competitive, some changes may be required at Blackburn Park to get back to those lofty heights next season.
PREDICTION: Eagles by 11 goals
