Swan Hill will host Balranald tomorrow afternoon to kick-start a massive round of Central Murray A Grade netball action, in what will undoubtedly be a preview of what lies ahead in this finals series.
Both the Swans (second) and Roos (third) find themselves locked on 46 points each heading into tomorrow’s encounter, with the winner set to take a major step towards a much sought-after double chance – and potentially top spot on the ladder. For the loser, they could well find themselves down in fourth position come the end of the weekend and at a very real risk of having to play elimination netball throughout the finals series.
Each team has incurred just a single loss this season and the big game atmosphere is a position that’s all too familiar for Swan Hill joint coach Madeleine Nalder. She spoke to The Guardian this week after her team played out a pulsating six-goal win over a determined Cohuna Kangas outfit.
“We’ve had some big games over the last few weeks so tomorrow won’t be foreign to us – we had a pretty tough match against Cohuna last Saturday which was a good hitout ahead of tomorrow for us,” Nalder said.
“It was close all day and I feel like that will definitely be a good lead-in to tomorrow’s game.”
The Swans led for much of the day, despite the tight score line, eventually overcoming the Kangas 55 to 49. Balranald on the other hand had a far different preparation, enjoying a comfortable victory over Koondrook-Barham, 63-20.
Tomorrow is expected to be a much tougher affair, especially if the previous match between these two sides is any indication, with Swan Hill recording a four-goal win over the previously unbeaten Balranald back in Round 6.
Ingrid Condely and Casey Frame were both key players for the Swans that day, with the goalies both combining well to pose a constant threat to Balranald’s defensive end. Nalder was quick to point out that tomorrow would be an entirely different ball game, with both teams having changed since that last encounter 13 weeks ago.
“We’re expecting a tough game all over the court, it ebbed and flowed last time we played them and were expecting a pretty tight tussle again,” Nalder said.
“It feels like a long time ago and I feel like they’ve probably improved and like we’ve improved as well – we like to focus on what we have to do and what we can control and what we’ve been working on over the last couple of weeks has been building our consistency across games.”
“We’ll just be looking to control what we can control on the day in terms of our effort, consistency and our pressure because it’s sure to be a tight game that will come down to the little things – we’ll have to be on our game for the whole four quarters and so will they.”
Swan Hill will once again be without key player Karli McIntyre, who is set to miss with injury. Her absence will put some pressure on the Swans’ mid-court, who will take on the hard-working combination of Taylin Barry, Bonnie Jolliffe and Bree Hodgson without her.
While Nalder would undoubtedly prefer McIntyre to be available than not, the Swans joint coach was more focused on a whole court performance from her team in order to stifle the Roos’ consistent ball movement.
“As clichéd as it sounds, I think it will be about a whole team effort tomorrow,” Nalder said.
“If we isolate ourselves to one person, then you’re shifting your focus from someone else that might have the potential to tun the game or have a real impact.”
“We’ll certainly be going into the match focusing on all of their players and what they’re capable of – Jess (Parry) is a great player, but they also have a strong defensive line-up with Stevie Bibby and Elli-Jane Brougham.”
“There’s going to be some really great match-ups all over the court that we’re going to have to really work hard at and watch closely.”
“Whatever happens tomorrow though, we’re going to learn from it.”
“It’s a great opportunity for growth and being so close to finals and with nothing in concrete this season, we’re definitely looking forward to what comes out of the game and seeing where we’re at as a team heading into the pointy end of the season.”
Swan Hill and Balranald won’t be the only match-up with major finals ramifications for both sides tomorrow, with Nyah-Nyah West United and the Cohuna Kangas set to do battle in a match that will likely decide both clubs’ finals chances.
The Demons (fifth) and Kangas (sixth) are separated by percentage only and locked on 24 points each, with the winner set to go a game clear inside the top five with just two rounds to play. Although the game is to be played at Nyah and with United rested after having the bye last Saturday, the advantage would seem to be with the Kangas, who pushed Swan Hill all the way last weekend – as well as having defeated the Demons by nine goals back in Round 6.
With both teams to play fellow finals contenders over the next two weeks and with United also to play Balranald and the Kangas having the bye, a win is a must for both clubs – with the match-up between Carmen Dye and Matika Mitchell set to have a massive bearing on the result.
Woorinen will be another finals contender who will be looking to keep their September hopes alive with a win tomorrow when they host Tyntynder.
An understrength Woorinen were gallant in defeat last Saturday against Lake Boga, with the young Tigers missing both Tessa Demaria and coach Olivia Jones against the Magpies. Both are expected to return for tomorrow’s must-win match against Tyntynder, who have steadily improved as the season’s progressed.
While the Bulldogs should be fresh after enjoying the bye last round, they will need to be at their absolute best if they are to cause an upset against the desperate Tigers.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang will also be expected to get the job done and keep their finals dream alive when they face off against lowly Koondrook-Barham this weekend.
The Saints find themselves a win behind the Demons and Kangas and in the same position as Woorinen, but with a much tougher run home, which makes tomorrow’s game against the Raiders absolutely crucial to their finals chances.
The final game of Round 16 is between Kerang and Lake Boga, with the young Blues receiving a big reality check last week against the ladde-leading Mallee Eagles. Kerang were hammered 86 to 35 last week and will likely face a similar test against a Magpie outfit who are heading towards the finals.
Making the task harder for the Blues will be the fact Lake Boga won’t be looking to take their foot off the pedal, with percentage set to be a huge factor between all the finals contenders come the end of Round 18.
