MALLEE EAGLES v NNW UNITED
THE return of star goal attack Kasey Torr is expected to give the Mallee Eagles a major boost ahead of what shapes as a must-win match for their top-three ambitions against Nyah-Nyah West United this Saturday.
Torr missed last Saturday’s 11-goal win over the Cohuna Kangas after suffering an injury in the first quarter of the round 13 win over Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
Her return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Eagles, who are now at full strength ahead of what looms as a danger game against the Demons.
If the Mallee Eagles needed any reminding of just how dangerous NNW United can be, they only need to look to round 4, when the Eagles fell over the line by one goal after the Demons fought back from five goals down at half-time.
The midcourt battle between Alicia Harvey and Matika Mitchell was a key contest that day and is expected to be again, with much of their teams’ drive into their attacking thirds coming from the star centres.
While the Demons have improved, especially in defence with Taylen Blachford and Shanai Kelly developing their combination further, the Eagles have too much depth across the court and too much to play for.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by six goals.
WOORINEN v KERANG
WOORINEN’S finals hopes will be on the line when they host a rejuvenated Kerang at Tigerland.
With the bye next week, along with games against Balranald and Tyntynder to come, the sixth-placed Tigers can ill-afford to lose against the Blues, who despite being out of September contention have found form in recent weeks.
Key to their new-found form has been the inclusion of Denise Snyder, the athletic goal shooter adding a new dimension to the Blues’ attacking third.
Snyder will no doubt be a key focus for the Tigers, who have several options to stop her including young goal keeper Olivia Free.
Woorinen’s defence did an almighty job of restricting Lake Boga’s goalers to 50 goals without regular defenders Tessa Demaria and Rachel McLaughlin, with the pair’s availability once again uncertain.
With Willow Conlan and Chloe Adams likely to do battle at the other end of the court, a hard-fought contest is almost guaranteed, with an upset potentially on the cards if the Blues continue their good form.
Tip – Kerang to win by two goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v COHUNA
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang will once again be without key bookends Shania Nunn and Taylah Morris, with Cohuna to go in red-hot favourites to further tighten their grip on fifth spot.
The Kangas were disappointing in their loss to the Eagles last Saturday, with their hopes of a top-three finish all but ending with that 11-goal defeat.
Although the top three might be off the table, finals are still very much in their planning, with Cohuna going in at full strength against the Saints.
A 35-18 first half proved the difference in round 4, with Delainey Holmes and Kobie McIvor dominating in the Kangas’ attacking third and Carly Geary also moving into attack with great success.
With Morris out of the side, expect the Kangas to try and stretch the Saints’ young defence of Olivia Fowler and Ella Foley.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 14 goals.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v LAKE BOGA
LAKE Boga will go into their match against Koondrook-Barham unbackable favourites to claim their 13th win of the season.
Having not lost a match all season, the Magpies aren’t expected to start this weekend against the lowly River Raiders, who have won just one match.
Making Koondrook-Barham’s task more difficult is the continued absence of star centre Remy Doyle, who will miss against the premiership favourites.
Lake Boga’s defensive combination of Jemma Meehan and Emma Peacock is as strong as any in the Central Murray and the pair will be hard to break down for the Koondrook-Barham midcourters, who will also have to contend with the fast transitional play of Lily Brennan and Taigan O’Shannassy.
Although an upset would appear out of the equation, the match will be a good learning experience for the young Raiders, who should one day be aiming to emulate the feats of the impressive Magpies.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 35 goals.
