NNW UNITED v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
NYAH-Nyah West United will need to be at their best to topple the much-improved Tooleybuc-Manangatang if last Saturday’s results are anything to go by.
While it was a disappointing day for the Demons, who fell to the Mallee Eagles by 26 goals, the opposite could be said for the Saints, who claimed their second win for the season with a seven-goal win over fifth-placed Cohuna.
Led by late season recruits Laura Grant and Zoe Livingston, the Saints led at every change to shock the Kangas, with the result also putting the rest of the Central Murray on notice.
That includes NNW United, who need to win to keep their faintest of faint finals hopes alive, with a big margin also needed to boost their percentage.
Grant and Livingston are every chance to cross the white line again, with Grant set to give the Saints depth in defence in the continued absence of goal keeper Taylah Morris.
The Demons’ defence of Shanai Kelly and Taylen Blachford is their big strength, along with the leadership of Matika Mitchell in the centre, and they start favourites despite the absence of goal shooter Sarah Gaskin.
Tip – NNW United to win by four goals.
LAKE BOGA v TYNTYNDER
LAKE Boga will be out to make it 14 consecutive wins when they host Tyntynder.
There’s no doubting that the Magpies should be considered favourites for this year’s premiership, with their best netball so far this season proven to be better than anyone else’s.
But the challenge for the black and white brains trust is to keep that focus on the business end of the season, which is now only just around the corner.
Lake Boga secured a 20-goal win in round 3 when the two teams last clashed, with Katie Carmichael and Sarah Hepburn combining for their first game together since last year’s grand final that afternoon.
Since that day, the sisters have gone from strength to strength, with the Magpies having scored the second most goals of any team this season, with only Swan Hill having scored more.
As good as the Magpies’ attack has been, the defence has been even better, with Jemma Meehan and Emma Peacock conceding the least number of goals of any team this season.
Making their task somewhat easier is the expected absence of Tyntynder coach and star goal attack Kelsey Rowe, leaving a lot of pressure on Bridget Dedini to continue her good season in the Bulldogs’ attacking third.
At their best, Tyntynder are more than capable of matching it with the Magpies, but the challenge will be keeping pace with the ladder leaders for all four quarters and not just in spurts throughout the match.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 18 goals.
KERANG v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
KERANG will go in favourites to win their fourth straight game when they host Koondrook-Barham.
After a slow start to the season, the Blues have found form with strong wins over Balranald, Tooleybuc-Manangatang and Woorinen in recent weeks, and based on their form line they should account for the bottom of the ladder Raiders.
Kerang will be without Keiarah Brooks, with Jarni Gilmour set to return to the Blues’ starting line-up.
The Raiders will go in with an unchanged line-up, with their defence of Abby Paul and Emily Copland needing to be at their best to counter Kerang’s attacking combination of Denise Snyder and Carla Walker.
While finals are not in the equation for either team, the Blues should still record a strong win and continue to build towards what looks to be a promising 2025 campaign.
Tip – Kerang to win by 20 goals.
