LAKE BOGA v WOORINEN
WOORINEN will be looking to redeem themselves from last Saturday’s disappointing 27-goal loss to ladder leaders Swan Hill on Saturday when they meet the other major premiership contender, Lake Boga.
The Tigers struggled to adapt to the difficult conditions and could only manage 14 goals last week, with the Swans’ defence shutting down the Tigers’ attack.
Saturday won’t be any easier for Willow Conlan or Amy Cadd unfortunately, with the pair having to contend with Jemma Meehan and Emma Peacock in an important game for sixth-placed Woorinen.
Lake Boga will come in fresh off the bye and with an unchanged line-up from the team that defeated Balranald by seven goals a fortnight ago.
With Sarah Hepburn and Katie Carmichael dominating Lake Boga’s attacking third and Montana Davies starting to gel with Taigan O’Shannassy and Lily Brennan through the midcourt, the Magpies deserve to go in as the red-hot favourites.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 12 goals.
NNW UNITED v SWAN HILL
BOTH Nyah-Nyah West United and Swan Hill will have with unchanged line-ups when the two clubs clash at the Nyah Recreation Reserve.
The Demons were made to work to secure the four points against Koondrook-Barham last Saturday, while the Swans made light work of Woorinen, holding the Tigers to just 14 goals.
It was a strong defensive performance that the reigning premiers will be keen to replicate against a NNW United side that have proven tough to beat at home this season.
The Demons may have won just two of the six home matches this year, but they have also proven more than competitive in every match, with their largest loss being by nine goals against Lake Boga and including one and four goal defeats to finals contenders the Mallee Eagles and Woorinen.
The challenge for the Demons will be stopping goal shooter Zoe Morris, who scored 30 goals in a half against the Demons back in round 5 opposed to Shanai Kelly and Taylen Blachford.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 12 goals.
BALRANALD v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
BALRANALD will be aiming for a percentage-boosting win in the hope of closing the gap in the race for third spot when they host bottom-placed Koondrook-Barham.
The Roos find themselves fourth on the ladder and trailing the third-placed Eagles by percentage only, with the all-important finals double chance still up for grabs.
The Raiders are still without young centre Remy Doyle and Balranald will be missing Jess Parry and Brie Galvin from the two sides’ round 5 contest earlier this season.
That game ended with a 34-goal win to the Roos, with Ella Mirtschin and Elli-Jane Pollard named among the better players for winners.
Also among Balranald’s better players was Grace Morton, who was able to shut dangerous shooter Tlarnee Lake out of the contest, with the pair expected to resume their battle again.
Tip – Balranald to win by 24 goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v KERANG
BOTH Tooleybuc-Manangatang and Kerang will be playing for pride when the two clubs lock horns for the first time this season.
Although both clubs’ finals hopes have long been extinguished, both the Saints and Blues have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Kerang have shown that they have the potential to upset a few finals-bound teams, after last Saturday defeating Balranald by nine goals.
The Saints weren’t as fortunate against the Eagles, but continue to show strong signs of development, with the youngest team in the competition competitive in patches against the third-placed Eagles last Saturday.
With Taylah Morris and Shania Nunn still under injury clouds, the experienced Kerang line-up containing Chloe Adams, Keiarah Brooks, Denise Snyder and Danielle Coates should prove too strong.
Tip – Kerang to win by 13 goals.
