NNW UNITED v COHUNA
THE Cohuna Kangas will be without star defender Carly Geary for Saturday’s important match against Nyah-Nyah West United.
Geary’s absence will be a huge loss for the Kangas, who will be desperate to rebound after last Saturday’s 26-goal loss to Swan Hill, which saw them fall to fourth on the Central Murray ladder.
Chloe Threadgold will return to bolster the Demons midcourt, with the home side also expected to have fresh legs after the bye.
Matika Mitchell will be the player to stop for NNW United, along with defender Taylen Blachford, who will most likely line up opposed to reigning Kangas best-and-fairest Kobie McIvor.
With NNW United suffering close losses to the Mallee Eagles and Woorinen, and the Kangas securing close wins against the same two opponents, there appears to be very little separating these two clubs, with the loss of Geary potentially tilting the ledger in the Demons’ favour.
Tip – NNW United to win by one goal.
MALLEE EAGLES v LAKE BOGA
THE Mallee Eagles will be hoping home-court advantage and depth on their bench will be enough to cause an upset when they host the undefeated Lake Boga.
Both clubs will be at full strength, with the Magpies set to go in as red-hot favourites having not lost a game so far this season. In fact, Lake Boga have lost just four quarters.
The Magpies were dominant in their attacking third against the Saints last weekend, shooting an incredible 70 goals for the match, with Sarah Hepburn continuing her incredible start to the season with 57 goals for the game.
Worryingly though, Tooleybuc-Manangatang, who are yet to win a game, also scored heavily against the usually miserly Magpie defence, which will give Eagles shooters Megan Thorneycroft and Kasey Torr confidence that they too can have a big say in the result.
With both clubs possessing strong attacks, this game could well be decided in the midcourt, with the combination that provides their shooters with the best service likely to come out on top.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by nine goals.
SWAN HILL v KERANG
SWAN Hill will start red-hot favourites to make it six consecutive wins when they host Kerang at the Alan Garden Reserve.
The Swans, along with Lake Boga, have been the form team so far this season, despite a vastly different squad to last year’s premiership winning team.
Goal defence Stevie Bibby has been a massive inclusion for Swan Hill, along with goal attack Casey Frame, with the latter’s partnership with goaler Zoe Morris already paying dividends.
As impressive as Swan Hill have been, Kerang have been disappointing, with the Blues’ only points coming from their round 2 draw against Tyntynder.
The move of Chloe Adams to attack last Saturday helped to strengthen Kerang’s front third, but opposed to the experienced Morris and Frame, expect the Blues coach to go back into defence.
Making Kerang’s task all the more difficult will be the absence of wing defence Shannon Baird, especially against a powerful Swans midcourt containing Holly Rogers, Karli McIntyre and Hayley Neuschafer.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 15 goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v BALRANALD
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang will be aiming for yet another improved performance when they host finals contender Balranald.
Despite being yet to win a game this season, the Saints proved to be more than competitive for a half against premiership favourites Lake Boga last Saturday, before the Magpies’ attacking power eventually took control after half-time.
Goal keeper Taylah Morris was sorely missed last week and will once again be missing for the Saints, which will be a concern with Jess Parry and the in-form Ella Mirtschin awaiting them.
Parry’s match up against Oliver Fowler promises to be a beauty, with Fowler developing into one of Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s key players across the first six rounds.
The Roos have proven themselves to be one of the toughest teams to score against this season, and with Elli-Jane Pollard, Grace Morton and Bree Hodgson lining up in defence, that should prove to be the case against the Saints.
Tip – Balranald to win by 14 goals.
