BALRANALD will go into Saturday’s match of the round against undefeated Lake Boga with nothing to lose, according to co-coach Elli-Jane Pollard.
Having recaptured form in wins over NNW United and Cohuna, the third-placed Roos have confidence their game plan can deliver the Magpies their first loss of 2024.
Balranald returned to their best against the Kangas a fortnight ago.
A dominant 11-goal win in wet conditions gave Pollard and her team belief their best was good enough to contend this season, despite the continued absence of key players Jess Parry and Brie Galvin.
“It was very good to come away with a win like that, it was the sort of win that you can build a season from to be honest,” Pollard said.
“The challenge for us will be to make sure we start this week better than the last time we came off of a bye when we got absolutely belted (against second-placed Swan Hill).
“We’ll be working on playing our best netball right from the start and making sure we’re not slow out of the blocks like we were that day, because (Lake Boga) are the benchmark this season and it’s going to be a tough game.
“The last time we played them we only lost by five goals and we had a couple of players out, which we still do at the moment as well.
“While they’re definitely the benchmark team, I think we can match them as we have a little bit more height with myself, Bree (Hodgson) and Grace (Morton) in defence.
“I think we’re a good match-up against them and hopefully we can get over the line.”
Both sides will look different to that afternoon in round 2, with the Roos missing Parry from their line-up, and Magpies goal shooter Katie Carmichael being a welcome addition.
Carmichael has been hugely influential alongside sister Sarah Hepburn in the Magpies’ attacking third.
Despite the well-organised Balranald defence, both pose a significant threat to the home side’s chances of a win.
Lake Boga coach Anne-Maree Stewart was also quick to praise her team’s resolute defence throughout their first 10 games this season.
“I’ve been pretty happy with both ends of the court this season to be perfectly honest,” Stewart said.
“To keep Kerang to just 23 goals in our last game was a great effort by our defenders, while in our attacking end, both girls (Carmichael and Hepburn) are pretty high up there in terms of goals scored and are working together really well.
“We’re slowly building towards finals, we’re rotating our players to keep them fresh and motivated, and we’re playing girls in different positions just to keep challenging their mindset.
“Against Kerang we played Jemma (Meehan) at wing attack for example, and that was as part of our rotations and trying to keep things fresh and challenging.
“When you sit at the top of the ladder, it’s not easy because everyone’s always trying to beat you, but we’re not going to hide away from it.
“Balranald are going be one of our toughest challenges yet, they always play well and you always have to be on your game, especially when you play them up there.”
If Balranald are to cause an upset, they will have to challenge the Magpies in their attacking third, with Ella Mirtschin and Bec Harvey both needing strong games to keep Meehan and Emma Peacock honest and accountable.
If the Roos shooters are on target and make the most of their opportunities, an upset wouldn’t surprise, but based on the previous 11 rounds, the Magpies still deserve to be heavy favourites.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by nine goals.
