MALLEE EAGLES v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
BOTH the Mallee Eagles and Koondrook-Barham will go in unchanged and with full strength squads into Saturday’s must-win match for both clubs.
With neither side yet to taste defeat in 2025, victory will see either club move to the top of the ladder, with both the Eagles and Raiders occupying first and second after the opening two rounds.
For the Raiders, it has been a dramatic turnaround under new coaches Emma Peacock and Elly Bookham, with the pair helping to instil confidence into the club after winning just one match over the past three seasons.
That new found confidence will face its first big test Saturday afternoon however, with the Raiders coming up against the team many consider to be the early season premiership favourites, such was the dominance in defeating Swan Hill last round.
The Eagles seemingly have no weak links, with a strong attacking third led by Megan Thorneycroft and Julia Amezdroz and a classy midcourt containing Alicia Harvey, Kasey Torr and Lily Brennan.
But it’s in defence where the Eagles big strength lies, having conceded just 64 goals across their first two matches, with Nevaeh Roberts and Jemma Meehan owning the defensive ring so far in 2025.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by seven goals.
NNW UNITED v WOORINEN
NYAH-NYAH West United will welcome reigning club best and fairest Matika Mitchell back into their line-up for today’s must-win game against Woorinen.
After starting the season 0-2, a win is essential for the Demons to keep touch with the top five in a season where a push for finals was hoped for.
Securing the four points will be no easy task against an in-form Tigers outfit who have taken all before them in the opening two rounds, with strong wins over Balranald and Tyntynder – two clubs who both played finals last season.
There may however be a glimmer of hope for NNW United however, with Tessa Demaria expected to miss this afternoon’s game, with Lily Den Houting expected to partner Rachel McLaughlin in defence.
Although Den Houting and McLaughlin are among Woorinen’s better players, the fact that the Demons won’t have to contend with Demaria will be a positive, especially considering their dearth of options at goal shooter through the first two games.
Tip – Woorinen to by eight goals.
LAKE BOGA v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
NEW recruit Maddie Hickey is expected to pull on the black and white for the reigning premiers Saturdayafternoon, with the Magpies to host Tooleybuc-Manangatang in what is expected to be a hotly contested match for both clubs.
While Hickey will be a good inclusion for Lake Boga, the Saints will be below strength, with Rhiann O’Meara missing for the visitors.
O’Meara may not be the only one, with several other players undergoing fitness tests at training overnight in order to be passed fit, with both clubs still searching for their first points of the season.
It will be Lake Boga’s second match of the year after undergoing mass changes to their premiership winning team over the off-season, with their new combinations of Felicity Robertson, Maddy Gleeson and Rachael Smith in defence and Milla Holt and Jessica Weaver in goals expected to take time to gel.
For the Saints, the improvement in their younger players such as Jayda Plant, Summer Blachford and Olivia Fowler is obvious, with that extra game together perhaps giving them the edge late in Saturday’s game.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by two goals.
TYNTYNDER v COHUNA
COHUNA will be without experienced goal shooter Danni Bird for their all-important clash with Tyntynder Saturday, with both clubs desperate for their first points of the season.
The Kangas would have been disappointed to lose their opening game of the season to Balranald a fortnight ago, having led for much of the match, only to concede the last five goals of the match, to lose by two.
Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for Cohuna to take from the match, with their fitness and consistency expected to hold them in good stead throughout the early games.
The loss of Bird will hurt for Saturday’s match, however, with experienced goaler Kobie McIvor coming into the starting seven against an unchanged Bulldogs outfit.
After starting the season with two straight losses, a win is a must for Tyntynder, who will be relying on a strong performance from midcourters Taylah Woodward, Tamara Weiss, Issy Corrie and Elvie Kelly-Britten to help get them over the line at home.
Tip – Cohuna to win by five goals.
