SWAN HILL v BALRANALD
REIGNING premiers Swan Hill go into this Saturday’s top-three clash against Balranald as favourites following their dominant 21-goal win over fellow finals aspirant Tyntynder last Saturday.
The Swans will welcome back former Balranald premiership defender Stevie Bibby for her first game against her old club, in a welcome boost to the home side’s chances.
Meanwhile, the Roos will continue to be without goal attack and co-coach Jess Parry, with her knee injury set to sideline her for several weeks.
Just how Balranald will replace Parry will be the big watch, with fellow co-coach Elli-Jane Pollard having moved into attack in recent games against the Mallee Eagles and Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
Grace Morton and Bree Hodgson have been resolute in holding down the defensive posts so far.
The challenge in nullifying Swan Hill’s Zoe Morris and Casey Frame is another step up in class – and one that might best be served by Pollard moving back to defence.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by nine goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
THE likely return of defender Taylah Morris is set to give Tooleybuc-Manangatang a much-needed boost ahead of their bottom-of-the-ladder clash with Koondrook-Barham.
While the Saints are yet to taste victory this season, playing the 1-6 Raiders at home presents their best opportunity yet to record that elusive first win.
Morris will be a massive inclusion for the Saints and should line up on the underrated Shanae Haw, leaving the much-improved Olivia Fowler to contend with the dangerous Tlarnee Lake.
The key match-up is likely to be in the centre of the court where young guns Jayda Plant (Saints) and Remy Doyle (Raiders) are expected to clash.
At the other end of the court, Jade McMahon will have her hands full in nullifying the impact of Tooleybuc-Manangatang goal attack Summer Blachford, who shot 47 of the Saints 54 goals in the last match against the Bulldogs.
With so much to play for, the Saints should get over the line in a close one, although if Doyle and Lake produce big games, an upset could easily be on the cards.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by eight goals.
NNW UNITED v LAKE BOGA
IT will be Nyah-Nyah West United’s turn to try and combat the all-conquering Lake Boga when the two clubs clash at the home of the Demons.
NNW United have been a much-improved side under the guidance of Madi Jones this season and if not for close losses to Woorinen and the Mallee Eagles earlier this season, could have potentially found themselves sitting in the top five at the halfway mark.
As it stands, they are instead battling for their finals survival with a three-win, four-loss record and facing a season-defining month that includes games against Balranald and Tyntynder to follow.
Lake Boga couldn’t be better placed, with the premiership favourites having taken all before them this season thanks to the dominant pairing of Katie Carmichael and Sarah Hepburn in goals and the midcourt prowess of Lily Brennan and Taigan O’Shannassy.
While the Magpies will be missing defender Sophie Peacock, they should still have more than enough talent to cover her absence, with the visitors expected to extend their unbeaten run eight straight wins.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 12 goals.
COHUNA v KERANG
THE Cohuna Kangas and Kerang will write yet another chapter in their long-held rivalry.
Although any meeting between the two clubs often has plenty of feeling involved, this is a danger game for the fourth-placed Kangas, who will go in as red-hot favourites against the winless Blues.
The Blues were much improved against NNW United before the bye, with goal shooter Denise Snyder returning from injury against her old side and providing Kerang with a strong target under the ring.
The Kangas also had a hard-fought encounter against the Demons in their last match, with Taylor Hird, Ebony Black and Kobie McIvor among their better players on that occasion.
With some doubt over the availability of defender Ebony Black and with Cohuna’s last game being 21 days ago, Kerang have an opportunity to cause an upset – albeit one that requires beating a Kangas outfit who continue to improve week by week.
Tip – Cohuna to win by four goals.
