Red Cliffs v Merbein
Quandong Park, 12pm
THINGS are going to be tense at the Quandong Park courts.
First, hosts Red Cliffs have to take care of business and defeat Merbein then, if that mission is accomplished, they will have to wait on the result of the mid-afternoon clash between Wentworth and South Mildura to see if they have qualified for post season action.
It could have all been solved at the ‘P’ last week if only the Tigers had beaten the Bulldogs. That would have sealed fifth on the ladder and taken a lot of the stress out of Saturday’s clash, but South just wouldn’t go away and rallied late for a three-goal victory, which saw them leapfrog Red Cliffs and claim a position in the top five for the first time this season.
Now, the Tigers are in a must-win situation and then hope undefeated hosts Wentworth maintain that form and help push the Dogs out of the five.
After a bright start to the season, the young Tigers have lost four of their past five games and another defeat would send them on holidays early.
Jorja Parker and defenders Morna Naquto and Ili Sovau were in outstanding form, but Red Cliffs couldn’t take advantage of their fine work at the other end of the court in the low-scoring affair.
Merbein have been out of the race for a while now but would love nothing better to end the season with a win and play spoiler in the process.
With the Gray sisters, Johannah, Emily and Sophie, on the court along with Tasharni Hynes, Teagan Pettigrew and Vanessa Rodi, don’t rule that out.
PREDICTION: Tigers by four goals
Wentworth v South Mildura
George Gordon Oval courts, 2.30pm
PLAYING a third straight mid-afternoon game in a row, South Mildura will know exactly what will be required to maintain their place in the top five when they hit the court at 2.30.
Best-case scenario, Merbein stun Red Cliffs and the Bulldogs stay in. Otherwise, they will need to pull off the upset of the season and down undefeated hosts Wentworth across the river, which doesn’t seem very likely.
All but out of finals contention a month ago, South Mildura have rallied with four wins on the trot – including a three-goal thriller over Red Cliffs last week – to keep their season alive until the very last round.
Streaky South have hit the rich vein of form through the tight defence of veteran Sharne Lane and Regan Zaxos, the shooting combinations of Sophie Fox, Macey Adriske and young teen Emma Mottram and the midcourt craftiness of coach Tara Bate, Alyse Ross and Tayla Sellens.
But, as impressive as they have been, that’s unlikely to be enough against all-conquering Wenty.
Shooter and coach Amanda Edwards is a force of nature near the net and will comfortably pass the 700-goal mark this season.
Courtney Wakefield and Natalie Vercher are the best defensive duo in the comp and Molly Mangan, Jessica Minter and Christie Becker swarm the midcourt zone.
The Dogs can expect little help from the rampant Roos, who are on the brink of an undefeated regular season and then, most likely, another pennant.
PREDICTION: Roos by 23 goals
Imperials v Irymple
Brian Weightman Oval courts, 12pm
REGARDLESS of Saturday’s result, Irymple ain’t going nowhere.
They will remain in fourth and face either Red Cliffs or South Mildura in the A Grade elimination final next Sunday at Wentworth.
Any shot they had at a top-three finish ended at Robinvale last week when they lost to the Eagles by 13 goals in the double chance decider.
The Swallows had no answer for shooter Sarah Hepburn, who finished with 42 goals, despite the wholehearted efforts of midcourters Sophie Price, Indi Spratt and Shakara Delcastegne and shooter Tarlia Couzner.
Saturday’s game against Imperials should provide Shelby Trigg-coached Irymple with a chance to work out some glitches before the knockout clash.
Imps started the season brightly but hit a wall at about the halfway mark, and wins have been few and far between since then.
Ali Walker’s squad has shown some promising signs this year, mainly through the efforts of the McManus sisters, Meg and Maddy, centre Tracey Sherlock and defender Kia Scott and, after this Saturday, they get the chance to regroup and refocus for 2026.
PREDICTION: Swallows by 17 goals
Ouyen United v Mildura
Underbool Recreation Reserve, 12pm
SECOND-placed Mildura get a nice little hit out on Saturday before their qualifying final against Robinvale Euston at the BWO courts next week.
The Demons faced league juggernaut Wentworth last round and emerged from the encounter with their pride and confidence well intact after a nine-goal loss.
The end scoreline didn’t reflect the tight contest which saw barely a handful of goals separate the top sides until late in the final quarter.
In warm conditions, Mildura worked tirelessly and matched the unbeaten Roos in many parts of the court.
Particularly outstanding were wing attack Demalza Henry, forwards Ava Zadow and Ashleigh Morello and hard-working defenders Sharon Watson and Jess McNamara.
They should be able to put lessons learnt in that battle into action against Ouyen United down at Underbool.
After winning last year’s grand final in a major shock over prohibitive favourites Wentworth, the Kangas will finish bottom of the league this season – in an equally surprising ending to a year.
Coach and midcourter Kyra Nathan, defender Tsharni Burns and goal attack Catherine Brown have been consistent performers on a team which hasn’t looked anywhere near repeating last year’s feats this season.
PREDICTION: Demons by 21 goals
