NNW UNITED v TYNTYNDER
THE finals hopes of Nyah-Nyah West United are effectively on the line when they meet a Tyntynder side who could possibly join the top five with a win.
There are likely no more chances for the Demons, who last week lost their third game for the season by four goals or less, with the series of tough defeats seeing them languishing down in eighth on the ladder and two games outside the finals, despite having a healthier percentage than fifth-placed Cohuna.
Annabelle Arnold is set to return for the Demons after missing their three-goal loss to Balranald.
The Bulldogs will be just as desperate to secure the four points, however, with the visitors close to full strength apart from defender Nichola Miliano.
With Tyntynder sitting just two points outside the top five, a win could lift them to fifth, with that being all the motivation needed for Kelsey Rowe’s team to get the job done in another close one for the Demons.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by two goals.
MALLEE EAGLES v WOORINEN
BOTH the Mallee Eagles and Woorinen will go into this weekend’s encounter with unchanged line-ups following strong wins last Saturday.
Although both clubs are in form, they will need to go up gear after cruising to victory against Koondrook-Barham and Tooleybuc-Manangatang following strong first halves.
Woorinen have won their past two matches but will face a much tougher test against the Eagles, who have won four of their past five matches and climbed to third on the Central Murray ladder as a result.
That form, along with the presence of stars Megan Thorneycroft, Alicia Harvey, Leah McKenzie and Laura Sheahan across the court, should see the Eagles celebrate their club’s 120th year in style on Saturday evening.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 10 goals.
SWAN HILL v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
SWAN Hill will welcome back defender Tess Meney against Koondrook-Barham, in what’s expected to be a one-sided contest between last year’s premiers and wooden spooners.
Meney missed the Swans’ 30-goal win over Balranald a fortnight ago but will return to line-up against Koondrook-Barham goal shooter Shanae Haw.
Making Koondrook-Barham’s task even harder is the continued absence of Remy Doyle with injury, with the star centre set to be missing for an extended period as the Raiders take a cautious approach to her return.
Although the Raiders have been taking steps forward in their development this season, Saturday’s game looks to be a task too great, with Swan Hill expected to claim yet another percentage and confidence-boosting win in their premiership defence.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 27 goals.
KERANG v LAKE BOGA
HAVING shocked the Cohuna Kangas a fortnight ago, Kerang will be hoping for a repeat performance when they host unbeaten Lake Boga at Riverside Park this weekend.
The Blues have improved markedly since the inclusion of goal shooter Denise Snyder, who shot 36 goals in the 53-40 win over the Kangas a fortnight ago.
Kerang’s team balance has also improved, with coach Chloe Adams able to play permanently in defence.
Saturday looms as a much tougher test of the Blues’ new-found form, however, with the Magpies making every post a winner so far this season, having not lost a game and sitting undefeated on top of the Central Murray ladder for much of the home-and-away season.
The match-ups between Kerang defenders Keiarah Brooks and Adams, and Lake Boga sisters Katie Carmichael and Sarah Hepburn, will make for entertaining watching.
But it’s the Magpies’ well-organised defence that holds the key to success for the black and white army, with Sophie and Emma Peacock, along with Jemma Meehan, proving to be the best and most effective defensive combination in the league.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 18 goals.
