Robinvale Euston v Mildura
John James Oval courts, 12pm
SEASON surprise packets Robinvale Euston can put the squeeze on Mildura for second place on the SFNL A Grade ladder with a victory at home this Saturday.
Perhaps more importantly, a win for the Eagles would keep them in the top three – ahead of fast-finishing Irymple.
The team from the east comfortably accounted for slumping Imperials last week and improved their record to 8-6, but they will have only one more regular season game to play after this Saturday’s action, so a win is a must as Irymple are only two points behind in the standings and have two to play.
Robinvale Euston have rebounded from a slow start to sit third in the standings and are guaranteed post-season action.
Playing coach Georgia Giofrelle stuck with the team’s fast-paced style despite the wobbly start and it is bearing fruit now and proving hard to combat with even undefeated Wentworth, who win most games by plenty, “barely” winning by double digits in both their encounters this season.
Giofrelle has formed a formidable forward combination with shooter Sarah Hepburn and the defence has solidified through the efforts of Kirsten Neyland and Jorja Delcastegne but the real bugbear for opponents is a pesky, buzzing midcourt led by centre Taneh Romeo, Belle Giofrelle and Georgie Kelly.
Mildura come into the encounter well rested after a bye and in hot form coming off five wins in a row. The Demons also boast great depth and experience in all parts of the court led by playing co-coaches Ava Zadow and Jess McNamara, veteran defender Sharon Watson and promising young centre Caitlyn Adamson.
PREDICTION: Demons by five goals
Red Cliffs v Wentworth
Quandong Park, 12pm
THE Tigers are the only side in the five under some pressure to hold their place through to the finals.
They are only four points clear of sixth-placed South Mildura and now is not exactly the best time to come up against the cross-border version of ‘Big Lizzie’, Wentworth, who roll over all before them.
Red Cliffs dropped behind Irymple early at Quandong Park last week and were unable to get back to level pegging despite regular surges in an eight-goal loss.
The hosts appeared discombobulated in the first quarter, and they can’t afford a sluggish start against the Roos.
Centre Jacqulyn Bell battled tirelessly but others were down on form and shooting star Zara Copley was well held by former teammate Alice Leeder.
Despite the loss, coach Romany Bowen was not daunted by the prospect of facing undefeated Wenty.
“It’s week by week and Wentworth are definitely not unbeatable,” she said.
So far, they certainly seem so.
The Roos were not at their best last week against Merbein but still won by 17 goals. Goal-scoring machine Amanda Edwards had a quiet day, by her standards, but there’s always someone else to rise to the occasion at Rooland and centre Ashlee Cameron and key defender Courtney Wakefield made sure the team’s perfect record would not be threatened against the Magpies.
PREDICTION: Roos by 23 goals
Irymple v South Mildura
Henshilwood Reserve, 2.30pm
IT’S must-win for South Mildura this Saturday when they visit Irymple for the first of their three mid-afternoon games to wrap up the regular season.
The Bulldogs are only four points behind fifth-placed Red Cliffs but face the Tigers next week before a season finale against – gulp – Wentworth. They’ve got to win two of those games and a victory against Wenty at the George Gordon Oval courts looks highly unlikely.
South Mildura did what they had to do and took care of business against cellar dwellers Ouyen United at the Precinct with a seven-goal triumph last week.
Defenders Macey Andriske and Sharne Lane kept the Kangas’ shooters to just 35 goals while Amy Lutze and Sophie Fox were more potent at the other end.
However, they are coming up against a side on the rise and they are going to need all hands on deck.
The Swallows travelled down the highway last round and pulled off a hard-fought eight-point win over neighbours Red Cliffs.
Fill-in centre Indi Spratt was outstanding in the victory as were defenders Alice Leeder and Kasey Caristo, who held the Tigers to just 32 goals.
Irymple have extra bounce in their step nearing the finals and may be too much for the Dogs to handle.
PREDICTION: Swallows by nine goals
Ouyen United v Imperials
Underbool Recreation Reserve, 12pm
A SEASON which started so promisingly for Imperials has petered out over the past month and now they will be playing out the string in their last three games and trying to find some things to build upon for next year.
They were soundly beaten at home by the Eagles last week despite the efforts of Meg McManus and Kia Scott, who both played forward and back, and centre Tracey Sherlock.
Imps battle hard each week but have become prone to lengthy fades and basic skill errors which put them in holes they are unable to dig out of.
Saturday’s game could provide an opportunity to rectify some of those problems against the defending champions who have looked a mere shadow of the team which shocked Wentworth in last year’s grand final.
Ouyen United have not clicked into gear at any stage this season and have wobbled to a league worst 3-11 record.
Saturday will be their penultimate game of the year and most likely last chance for a rare win as they meet high-flying Mildura in the final round.
The Kangas challenged South Mildura at the ‘P’ for phases of the game last week but never seriously threatened in a nine-goal loss.
Defender Tsharni Burns played well, coach Kyra Nathan was industrious whether playing midcourt or forward, as was Megan Jardine, but there’s just been no great cohesion or spark out at Ouyen in ’25.
PREDICTION: Kangas by two goals
