WOORINEN v NNW UNITED
AFTER falling just four goals short of victory in round 2, Nyah-Nyah West United will be aiming to reverse the result against Woorinen when the two teams meet at Tigerland.
For the Demons, a loss would put them two games behind fifth-placed Woorinen and at a serious disadvantage in the finals race.
But a win would continue to revive finals hopes which just a few weeks ago looked completely dashed.
It was a similar position that Woorinen found themselves in before their recent run of form, which has seen them peel off three consecutive wins.
Willow Conlan has been a revelation for the Tigers in attack this season and her battle against NNW United defender Shanai Kelly will be an important one.
The Demons will be hoping their midcourt combination of Matika Mitchell, Lucy Millard, Annabelle Arnold and Chloe Threadgold is able to outwork Woorinen’s Jaimee Beasy, Ava Crow and Chloe Militto.
The Tigers’ six-goal win over the Mallee Eagles last game was proof their best is good enough to beat anyone, however, and if they turn up with the same mindset they should prove too strong at home.
Tip – Woorinen to win by two goals.
TYNTYNDER v KERANG
ANYTHING less than a win will be unacceptable for seventh-placed Tyntynder when they host Kerang at the Alan Garden Reserve.
The teams couldn’t be separated when they last clashed in round 2, a 37-37 tie thanks to a last-gasp Bridget Dedini goal in the dying seconds.
Dedini and Bulldogs coach Kelsey Rowe were influential in the goals that afternoon, along with midcourters Monica Ellis and Elvie Kelly-Britten, with the quartet expected to again have a big say on their team’s chances of success.
Ellis has made the move to goal defence in the absence of Nichola Miliano, while the other change is on the Blues’ side, the mid-season inclusion of goal shooter Denise Snyder giving a much-needed boost in attack.
While Snyder will no doubt challenge the defensive combination of Ellis and Bridgette King, the Bulldogs should get the job done at home.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by four goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v SWAN HILL
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang will be hoping for a better first-half performance this weekend than when they last faced Swan Hill.
The Saints were in round 2 outscored 36-16 in a dominant first-half display from the reigning premiers.
Worryingly for Tooleybuc-Manangatang, that Swans team was without Zoe Morris, who has returned from injury mid-season to take over as one of the league’s in-form goal shooters.
Her 50-goal performance against Koondrook-Barham highlighted her dominance.
Rhiann O’Meara will return for the Saints and give the home team some much-needed depth through the midcourt, while Swan Hill are expected to go in with an unchanged line-up in what should prove to be another percentage-boosting win.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 25 goals.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v COHUNA
THE Cohuna Kangas will be out to turn around their spluttering season when they travel to Barham to take on the bottom of the ladder-leading Raiders.
After a strong start to the season, the Kangas have lost their last three matches to Balranald, Lake Boga and Kerang following the King’s Birthday bye, and currently find themselves outside the five and facing an uphill battle to force their way back in.
That climb back up the ladder should start now, with the Kangas going into their match against Koondrook-Barham heavy favourites despite their poor run of form.
With Raiders young gun Remy Doyle expected to miss yet again with injury, it’s hard to see them being able to compete with Cohuna’s midcourt combination of Skye Perry, Lilly Guerin and Taylor Hird.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 20 goals.
