THE Cohuna Kangas will be aiming for their fourth straight win when they travel to Lalbert to take on the Mallee Eagles tomorrow.
Despite the Kangas taking before them so far, including beating Woorinen for the first time in their club’s history, last year’s preliminary finalists will be their first big test.
Having long been one of the Central Murray’s easy beats, the Kangas are clearly a team on the rise under the guidance of new coach Georgia Anderson, who knows her team will need to be at their best against one of the league’s powerhouse sides.
“Every week is difficult this season, there are no easy games and Saturday will be no different,” Anderson said.
“We know it will be another step up, but if we settle early, play the whole game out and play consistently I think we’ll be OK.
“I feel we play our best netball when we settle into our positions early on, we tend to gain momentum as the game goes on, so we really want to look at starting the game really well.
“If we get away to a good start and then keep building momentum each quarter, that will hold us in good stead, we just need some consistency with our intensity and if we can achieve that, then the result should take care of itself.”
Cohuna will be missing wing attack Taylor Hird, while the Eagles defensive third will be strengthened with the return of Nevaeh Roberts, who missed her team’s heart-stopping one-goal win over NNW United last Saturday.
It’s Roberts inclusion that has
Eagles co-coach Alicia Harvey was excited to have the versatile defender back at her disposal.
“Our defensive end as a collective have been amazing this season, but she (Roberts) just reads the ball so well and has this ability to change her game slightly depending on who her opponent is,” Harvey said.
“She works really well with Laura (Sheahan) and Leah (McKenzie) and is such a key player in our defensive end.
“Kasey (Torr) is another key player for us in attack too, she uses her speed and agility so well, that when she plays against one of those taller defenders, it becomes an advantage.
“With that said, I think all seven of us need to be at our best because Cohuna will be hungry.”
Playing contrasting styles, the Eagles possess speed and agility across the court, and the Kangas have height in both attack and defence.
The Eagles’ speed of ball movement will likely pose a challenge for the Kangas, who will need big games from defenders Carly Geary, Marli Easton and Ebony Black in order to counter Torr and Megan Thorneycroft, according to Anderson.
“We’ve got some height in our defence, but we’re also very versatile as well,” Anderson said.
“It depends on who we’re coming up against really, we’re open to making changes in personnel where we need to on the court.
“Lily Guerrin could potentially play a bit more in attack this week, but we have a very a very versatile team with players that can play anywhere.
“Madi Black is another one who can play anywhere on the court, so if one of our match-ups isn’t working, I’m more than confident in Madi coming on and doing a job.”
The key match-up could well prove to be between Roberts and Cohuna goal attack Kobie McIvor, with both players expected to have a big say on the result.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by two goals.
