Mallee Eagles look to extend winning streak
A RESURGENT Mallee Eagles will hit the court full of confidence for a crunch game against Balranald at Greenham Park tomorrow.
After losing their first three games, the Eagles have gone on a four-game winning streak, and coach Meg Allen is confident they are up for the challenge against the reigning premiers.
Both teams have four wins from seven games and are separated by just seven per cent.
And while last year they were fighting it out for a place in the grand final, tomorrow it is a spot in the top five that is on the line.
“Tomorrow will be a massive game for our season as it’s starting to shape up that there aren’t just four or five good teams this year and that means that inevitably someone will miss out on the top five,” Allen said.
“We played Tyntynder two weeks ago and everything just seemed to click into gear for us and it was clearly our best game for the season.
“I think if we can play like that, then we can be up there with the best teams, but we have to show up and play like that consistently.
“I think we’re just starting to get a bit of continuity as a squad after having a few girls away or having interrupted starts to the season – so for us to be able to play together consistently has given ourselves a chance to gel and I think that really reflected on court against Tyntynder.”
Balranald premiership coach Jess Parry was also confident that her team’s best form wasn’t far away after a patchy start to the year.
“I feel like we’re starting to play a lot better netball than what we were earlier in the year, we were probably a bit complacent in the early rounds and it cost us a few games,” Parry said.
“Of all the games we lost, I think our biggest was by eight goals against Woorinen. Our other losses have been by five goals or less and we’ve played the top half of the ladder as well.
“We’ve come through those tough games, which I think will hold us in good stead, but for us to know that weren’t losing by much and the fact we feel we’re playing better netball now has us in a pretty good position, regardless of where we are on the ladder I feel.”
With both clubs possessing strong attacking thirds of the court, tomorrow’s result will likely come down to which team can get on top through the mid-court.
“I think if we are to get the job done, then we will have to win it with our defensive pressure,” Parry said.
“If we can maintain good defensive pressure and limit their options to Kellie Walker in goals, then I think we’ll be able to capitalise on turnovers and hopefully score from them.”
Allen said her team would focus on a whole of court approach to tomorrow’s game.
“They’re (Balranald) the reigning premiers and Jess is obviously the reigning league best and fairest winner, so she’s clearly a fantastic player, but we can’t afford to just focus our attention on one player or one part of the court I feel,” Allen said.
“They’re the reigning premiers because they’ve got a great side across the court and we’ll all need to focus on our individual opponents and focus on keeping them quiet, while at the same time playing our game as much as we can.”
Tip – Balranald to win by three goals.
LAKE BOGA v KERANG
THE match between unbeaten ladder leaders Lake Boga and this season’s big improvers Kerang could have major ramifications come finals time.
While the Blues have been impressive through the first half of the season, they have failed their two biggest tests against both Balranald and Woorinen. And the Magpies present as another step up again.
The Hepburn sisters have been in sensational form of late and will be key players once again.
Just who takes to the court for Kerang will be of interest, with coach Chloe Adams having missed the past two games before the bye.
While the Blues have the depth to challenge the ladder leaders, they might not have the class, especially if Holly Hogan and Emma Peacock link up freely through the midcourt.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by five goals.
TYNTYNDER v NNW UNITED
WHILE Tyntynder and Nyah-Nyah West United had high hopes of finals success at the start of 2023, they will both be playing for pride when they clash at the Alan Garden Reserve.
The Bulldogs suffered a 41-goal loss to crosstown rivals Swan Hill last week, coming off the back of a 32-goal loss to the Mallee Eagles a week prior.
While Tyntynder will go in as a team under pressure, so too will the Demons, who let a winnable game against the Cohuna Kangas slip at their last outing – a match they were expected to win.
If NNW United’s new attacking combination of Bridie Curran and Steph Henson can start to click, then they could come out on top, but with a strong attacking third led by Kelsey Rowe and a consistent mid-court, it’s hard to go past the Bulldogs.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by four goals.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v SWAN HILL
KOONDROOK-Barham face another monumental task tomorrow when they host last year’s grand finalists Swan Hill.
It’s been a tough month for the River Raiders, having faced top five teams Kerang, Lake Boga, Woorinen and Balranald in their past four games – and suffering heavy defeats on each occasion.
It’s hard to see a similar outcome not occurring tomorrow against the Swans, who made light work of Tyntynder last Saturday in their annual King’s Birthday clash.
Expect Swan Hill to have a comfortable win.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 30 goals.
WOORINEN v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
WOORINEN will look to keep the pressure on the top three when they host Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
The Tigers find themselves outside the top three by less than one per cent, but can leapfrog Kerang with a big win over the lowly Saints.
Woorinen should have too much class with Tayla Bennett and Tessa Demaria patrolling either end of the court. But the Saints boast a number of talented youngsters, including Summer Blachford and Jayda Plant, and will be no pushover.
Tip – Woorinen to win by 28 goals.
