WITH two almost completely unrecognisable teams, it’s hard to know what to expect from Tyntynder and Koondrook-Barham when the two clubs take to the Alan Garden Reserve courts Saturday afternoon.
With both the Bulldogs and River Raiders changing coaches, changing players and changing game styles over the pre-season, the match-up will be an intriguing one.
This is especially so considering Koondrook-Barham have won just one match from their past two seasons, yet in the eyes of many are also expected to be the Central Murray’s big improvers in 2025 after several high profile acquisitions.
None more so than the Peacock twins, Emma and Sophie, who after dominating the defensive third for premiers Lake Boga last season, will now take their talents across the Murray.
Emma, who finished runner-up to Stevie Bibby in last year’s Julie Wardle Medal, will take on the role of co-coach alongside Elly Bookham, with the pair also adding depth at both ends of the court through the recruitment of Moama’s Erin Moerenhout and Mathoura’s Larney Allan.
Moerenhout will partner existing shooter Shanae Haw, while Allan will combine with Sophie Peacock in the Raiders defensive third, with the early signs positive for Koondrook-Barham’s new combinations, according to Raiders coach Emma Peacock.
“I think at the start of the season, our defensive end will be our strength, but hopefully by the end of the year, it’s our attacking end that will be strongest,” Peacock told The Guardian this week.
“Obviously Sophie (Peacock) and I have played together for years, but Sophie and Larney (Allan) played together on Saturday against Pyramid Hill and it was as if they had played alongside each other for years as well.
“It was a big positive for us going forward and I think generally speaking across the competition, I get the feeling all clubs are going to struggle for dominant goalies this season.
“Certainly Tyntynder’s defensive end will be quite strong and that is an area of their game we are going to have to watch closely.”
Although Koondrook-Barham have undergone mass changes, so too have the Bulldogs, who have been forced to reshuffle their team over the off-season.
New coach Bridget Dedini, who will take the reins alongside fellow coach Monica Ellis, will move from attack to defence to partner Bridgette King in a strong defensive combination.
That leaves an even bigger gap to fill in attack however, with Kelsey Rowe also missing from last year’s team, with Demi Hallam set to line-up alongside first gamer Violet Corrie in goals Saturday afternoon.
“Violet (Corrie) has had a lot of accolades throughout her junior netball already and we’re really excited to see what she can do now that she’s made the step up into the A grade as well,” Dedini said.
“Milla (Nalder) is another one who has shown a lot of strength throughout the pre-season, she’s really put in and grown so much.
“We’re aiming to develop these girls so that they become used to senior netball by the time they’re full time seniors and we’re not just throwing them in the deep end.
“We’re not putting any pressure on them, but we’re excited to see what they can do at the next level.”
It’s expected to be the battle of the young guns in the centre, with Tyntynder’s Issy Corrie set to go head-to-head with Koondrook-Barham star Remy Doyle.
After a season ruined with injury, Doyle will be a welcome sight for the Koondrook-Barham faithful, with her speed and class with ball in hand making her one of the most difficult players to negate in the Central Murray – a feat which could well prove problematic for the Bulldogs.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham by three goals.
