AS the Central Murray and Golden Rivers Football Netball League, and the community more broadly, deals with unpredictable COVID-19 restrictions, the path forward is uncertain.
While there are sure to be more changes on the way, these are The Guardian’s predictions for the remainder of the netball season as the ladder stands.
No team remains undefeated and there is some stellar talent across the ladder so a number of teams have the 2021 cup within their grasp – with no certain winners.
1ST – BALRANALD – (8 Wins, 1 Loss, 32 Points, 142.63%)
Round 9 – Tooleybuc-Manangatang (A)
Round 15 – Koondrook-Barham (A)
Round 16 – Bye
Round 17 – Woorinen (A)
Round 18 – Mallee Eagles (H)
Round 12 – NNW United (A)
Balranald are almost guaranteed three wins from their five remaining matches – against Tooleybuc-Manangatang, Koondrook-Barham and Nyah Nyah West United.
But they will be challenged by Woorinen and the Mallee Eagles – with the Eagles beating them earlier in the season while an exciting home side win against Woorinen challenged them until the final whistle.
The Guardian predicts four wins, with a loss against the Eagles, and a second-place finish for the Roos prior to the finals.
Predicted Finish – 2nd with 48 points
2ND – MALLEE EAGLES – (8 Wins, 1 Loss, 32 Points, 140.79%)
Round 9 – Koondrook-Barham (H)
Round 15 – Cohuna Kangas (H)
Round 16 – Lake Boga (A)
Round 17 – NNW United (H)
Round 18 – Balranald (A)
Round 12 – Bye
The Mallee Eagles are tied first (points-wise) on the ladder, and just below the Balranald Roos when it comes to percentage.
They have been flying high this season and have won against the Roos recently in a tough performance.
If they are able to recreate that victory in round 18, they will win the pre-finals competition, with four likely wins in the lead-up to their battle in Balranald.
Predicted Finish –1st with 52 points
3RD – SWAN HILL – (7 Wins, 2 Losses, 28 Points, 129.46%)
Round 9 – Tyntynder (A)
Round 15 – Bye
Round 16 – Koondrook-Barham (H)
Round 17 – Kerang (A)
Round 18 – Woorinen (H)
Round 12 – Lake Boga (A)
Prior to lockdown the Swans were really hitting their straps – with a particularly impressive defeat of 2019 premiers Woorinen.
They will again face the Tigers in round 18 which will be a challenging match, as will be their game against a strong fifth-placed Kerang who defeated the Swans earlier in the season.
Tyntynder, Koondrook-Barham and Boga are all strong teams so there are no promises of wins, but The Guardian predicts four wins of the five matches, with a loss against the Kerang Blues.
Predicted Finish – third with 44 points
4TH – WOORINEN – (6 Wins, 3 Losses, 24 Points, 120.23%)
Round 9 – Kerang (H)
Round 15 – Lake Boga (H)
Round 16 – Bye
Round 17 – Balranald (H)
Round 18 – Swan Hill (A)
Round 12 – Tyntynder (A)
Woorinen are a top quality team, but so are many others and they may not be able to get their hands on the premiership this year.
They have a few tough matches in these final rounds too – up against a strong Kerang who are just below them on the ladder, as well as match ups against Balranald and Swan Hill who have defeated the Tigers earlier in the season.
The Guardian predicts three wins – against Kerang, Lake Boga and Tyntynder, with losses to the Roos and the Swans. This would leave them in fifth place with a chance to still compete in the finals.
Predicted Finish – fifth with 36 points
5TH – KERANG – (6 Wins, 3 Losses, 24 Points, 119.94%)
Round 9 – Woorinen (A)
Round 15 – NNW United (H)
Round 16 – Bye
Round 17 – Swan Hill (H)
Round 18 – Koondrook-Barham (A)
Round 12 – Tooleybuc-Manangatang (A)
Kerang have impressed with their form this season and they are in with a good chance to make finals.
They will be challenged by the Woorinen Tigers’ experience in round nine but may come away with a win against the competitive Swans side.
The Blues have beaten them recently and we predict they can do it again.
They also seem likely to beat United, Tooleybuc-Manangatang and Koondrook-Barham.
With a predicted four wins before finals, and a loss to the Tigers, we predict they can swap ladder places with Woorinen to be fourth on the ladder.
Predicted Finish – fourth with 40 points
6TH – LAKE BOGA – (5 Wins, 5 Losses, 20 Points, 101.59%)
Round 9 – Bye
Round 15 – Woorinen (A)
Round 16 – Mallee Eagles (H)
Round 17 – Bye
Round 18 – Tooleybuc-Manangatang (H)
Round 12 – Swan Hill (H)
The Lake Boga Magpies are a tough little side, and they could mathematically swoop home to make finals but that seems unlikely with some tough match ups in the latter half of the season.
They will likely win their round 18 match against Tooleybuc Manangatang, but the remaining matches against Woorinen, the Mallee Eagles and Swan Hill will be difficult.
We predict an increase of just four points by the end of the season leaving them seventh on a very competitive ladder and swapping places with Tyntynder who will finish sixth.
Predicted Finish – seventh with 24 points
7TH – TYNTYNDER – (4 Wins, 5 Losses, 16 Points, 96.09%)
Round 9 – Swan Hill (H)
Round 15 – Tooleybuc-Manangatang (H)
Round 16 – Cohuna Kangas (A)
Round 17 – Bye
Round 18 – NNW United (A)
Round 12 – Woorinen (H)
Tyntynder have had some tough match ups recently but that leaves a few easier games for the remainder of the season.
They are likely to win three of their final matches – facing Tooleybuc Manangatang, the Cohuna Kangas and Nyah Nyah West United.
If they manage these three easier wins they will swap places with Lake Boga for sixth place.
They will also face challenging opposition in the Swans and the Tigers.
Predicted Finish – sixth with 28 points
Predictions for the remaining placings:
Koondook/Barham to finish tied eighth with 16 points after a likely round 12 win against Cohuna
Tooleybuc Manangatang to finish tied eighth with 16 points after a likely round 17 win against Cohuna
Cohuna Kangas to finish tenth with four points after a likely win against Nyah in round nine.
Nyah Nyah West United to finish eleventh without a win despite many a valiant effort.
