TOMORROW’S encounter between the Cohuna Kangas and NNW United will see a changing of the guard – with both clubs having resurrected their fortunes after many years battling down the lower reaches of the A Grade Central Murray netball ladder.
Both teams have improved markedly this off-season thanks to an influx of new recruits – but with their rise in fortunes comes expectations, especially with a spot in the top five set to go on the line.
The Demons find themselves holding down fifth spot courtesy of their 11-goal win over Tyntynder last Saturday – and while NNW United were up to the task last week, tomorrow’s game against the sixth-placed Kangas will be a step up in grade, according to their coach Laura Anderson.
“It’s a huge game and we’ve spoken about it a bit, that these are the games we need to win if we want to be up there and playing finals – it’s these mid-table games where we need to show what we’re made of and make sure we get the result,” Anderson said.
“Their (Cohuna’s) defensive end is quite strong, but hopefully we can just play our game and that will hold us in good stead – we’re expecting a pretty physical game, they’re traditionally a very physical side to play against.”
“We’ll just be trying to use a lot of angles and the like, instead of forcing the ball into our ring which allows their defence to set up – the idea will be to try and move their defence out of position and then at the other end capitalise on every turnover we get.”
The Demons have undergone mass change to their playing list this season, with Anderson crossing over from Tyntynder. Not only is their coach new to the club, but United also have a new defensive structure, with Zoe Gray (GK) and Matika Mitchell (GD) both arriving at the club from the Golden Rivers – and with Carmen Dye (GS) and Kobie McIvor (GA) two of the Kangas key players, it’s Gray and Mitchell who may well hold the keys to NNW United’s chances of success tomorrow.
“Zoe (Gray) will be a key player for us, because their shooters are very accurate in their goal circle – so if we can try and stop that and stop the ball from getting in there so easily, it will certainly be a major factor in us getting the job done,” Anderson said.
The midcourt battle between the Cohuna’s Tannah Keely, Anthea Toma and Ellena Findlay and the Demons Teina Lusty, Shania Decker and Anderson will also be crucial to the outcome of this must-win match for both teams.
The other game of huge interest this weekend will be up at Greenham Park, where the undefeated Balranald will take on perennial finalists Swan Hill. The Swans ended up with a strong win over Cohuna last weekend and will take a lot of confidence into their season-defining game against the Roos – but will need to take their game up another level to match their opposition tomorrow.
In the remaining games, Woorinen will be looking to press their finals claims when they face off against Tyntynder – while Koondrook-Barham will be out to record their first win of the season when they travel to Tooleybuc to take on the Saints.
