BALRANALD v WOORINEN
WOORINEN will be desperate to make amends for last Saturday’s disappointing performance against Lake Boga when they play another top contender in Balranald at Greenham Park this Saturday.
With several new players and combinations across the court, the Tigers are very much a work in progress, which was evident in their 67-34 loss to the Magpies.
An in-form Balranald will pose no less of a challenge, having won three of their four matches so far, including a 34-goal thrashing of Koondrook-Barham.
Balranald’s speed of ball movement and their ability to transition from defence to attack has been one of their big strengths throughout their early-season wins, and looms as a key factor.
If Roos midcourters Bree Hodgson, Bonnie Jolliffe and Brie Galvin are allowed to transition quickly and feed goalers Jess Parry and Ella Mirtschin, it could well prove to be another long day for the Tigers.
Tip – Balranald to win by 10 goals.
KERANG v MALLEE EAGLES
WITH their finals hopes quickly fading away, a win will be the only acceptable result for Kerang when they host the Mallee Eagles.
Securing just two points from their first four matches, the Blues are staring down the barrel of their season being over before it starts, after high hopes of breaking into the top five this season.
The Eagles are likewise in a precarious position after last Saturday’s shock one-goal loss to Cohuna.
A 2-2 win loss record has them in sixth on the ladder ahead of a season-defining three weeks that includes games against Lake Boga and Balranald.
Kasey Torr has been instrumental in attack throughout the opening games for the Eagles and her head-to-head battle with the Blues’ Keiarah Brooks will be a crucial match-up for both teams, as will the contest between Jamison Wise and Laura Sheahan at the opposite end of the court.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by five goals.
TYNTYNDER v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
AFTER two straight losses, Tyntynder will be aiming to return to the winners’ list when they host Koondrook-Barham at the Alan Garden Reserve.
Despite showing significant signs of improvement, the Bulldogs still find themselves eighth on the ladder and in desperate need of four points after losses to Lake Boga and Balranald, the latter by 34 goals a fortnight ago.
While the winless Raiders shouldn’t pose too great a threat, they have also shown considerable improvement throughout the early rounds, especially their developing players Remy Doyle, Ella Hall and Jade McMahon in the midcourt and defence.
The Raiders will lose Jess Davidson, returning to her home club Lockington Bamawm, while Tyntynder should go in with fresh legs after the bye last weekend.
With Bridgette King and Nichola Miliano’s defensive combination getting stronger by the week, it could easily turn into another tough day at the office for the Raiders.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by 18 goals.
LAKE BOGA v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
LAKE Boga will be red-hot favourites to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they host they winless Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
The Magpies have proven themselves to once again to be the team to beat this year and made a statement last Saturday by dismantling Woorinen to the tune of 33 goals in what was an impressive display of attacking netball.
While Lake Boga are strong all over the court, it’s the partnership of Sarah Hepburn and Katie Carmichael in their attacking third that is their big strength, with Taylah Morris and Olivia Fowler set to be tasked with halting the sisters’ impact.
While a win would appear an unlikely accomplishment, the experience of playing against the best team in the competition will be an invaluable experience for the developing Saints, who will be aiming to stay with the premiership favourites for as long as possible.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 26 goals.
