MATCH OF THE ROUND
SWAN HILL v WOORINEN
AFTER turning the tables on reigning premiers Balranald last Saturday, undefeated Swan Hill will face another big test when they host third-placed Woorinen this weekend.
Both the Swans and Tigers have been the quiet achievers throughout the opening seven rounds of the season, going about the business of racking up wins with a minimum of fuss.
That will come to a head when the long-time rivals meet again on Saturday, with second place the prize for the winning side.
While the home team will go into the match as slight favourites, Woorinen will be full of confidence after their 21-goal win over Kerang last Saturday.
Tigers coach Tayla Bennett was looking forward to the challenge of playing one of the best teams in the league.
“Last week against Kerang, and also our game against Balranald, they were tough games to get through, but to come out with the win has given us hope that we can match it with the best sides,” Bennett said.
“Swan Hill will be another test again, they’ve got some amazing talent in their side and they’re all very experienced as well and have been playing together for a long time.
“We know it’s going to be tough and it’ll be a mental challenge as much as anything, but I know we’re up for it.”
Ingrid Condely is expected to return for Swan Hill in a boost to their attacking third, while Ava Seymour should also hold her spot in the team following an impression game against Balranald.
Seymour, who will likely run through the midcourt alongside experienced duo Karli McIntyre and Kelsey McCoy, will play a critical role.
Swan Hill coach Madeleine Nalder was expecting a strong full-court effort from her players,” Nalder said.
“It will be really important that we work hard defensively as a team
“We value defence and I feel like that’s when we play our best netball, when we work hard defensively.
“We want to create opportunities by forcing turnovers and that only comes about through good defence.
“Woorinen are a great side and they have been for a long period of time, and with Tayla (Bennett) returning this year, they’re now very strong in their attacking third, so we’re going to have to knuckle down and try to turn over as much ball as we can and then convert as many opportunities as we can.”
The Tigers will face a combination of Condely, Casey Frame and Zoe Morris in goals.
While Tessa Demaria and Rachel McLaughlin have proved to be a formidable defensive combination so far this season, Bennett also planned to narrow her team’s focus to shutting down Swan Hill’s midcourt combinations.
“(Swan Hill are) very strong at both ends of the court, but the midcourt is somewhere that we’ll pay a little bit of attention to match-up wise,” Bennett said.
“It’s an area of the court that we’ll need to make sure we’re switched on in, right from the start, and that we’re transitioning through there well.
“Whichever team can find space and feed the ball into their attacking end will go a long way towards winning the game I feel.
“In that middle third, it’ll be about who can step up and take charge through there, but at the same time making sure that once you win that turnover, then you’re scoring from it as well.”
With Saturday’s match likely to be a potential preview into this year’s finals series, expect both teams to leave nothing in the tank in a game that will likely go down to the dying moments.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by two goals.
MALLEE EAGLES v TYNTYNDER
THE Mallee Eagles will be determined to make it four wins on the trot when they host Tyntynder on Saturday afternoon.
After a slow start to the season, the Eagles have found their wings in recent weeks, with victories against Tooleybuc-Manangatang, NNW United and Cohuna – by 36 goals last week – breaking Meg Allen’s team into the top five.
But while the Eagles may head into Saturday’s match in good form, it is also a danger game, with Tyntynder taking care of the Saints by 21 goals last week, after pushing top teams Kerang and Lake Boga in the weeks prior.
The key for Tyntynder will lie in their midcourt players, led by Demi Wall and Monica Ellis, pressuring the Eagles’ attacking midcourters Sonya Lorenzoni and Elly Bookham, and trying to disrupt their usually well-placed supply into the ever-dangerous Kellie Walker in goals.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by three goals.
NNW UNITED v COHUNA KANGAS
IF ever there were two teams that desperately needed a win, NNW United and Cohuna are it.
Both entered the season with hopes of playing finals – unfortunately, injuries and circumstances have intervened to ruin both teams’ September chances.
The Demons will be without Denise Snyder, whose foot injury looks set to sideline her for a number of weeks yet, and Matika Mitchell, who has returned to Moulamein to play the remainder of the season.
While Snyder is a big loss for NNW United, her absence won’t be as well felt against the Kangas, who have been missing experienced defenders Keely Wilson (knee) and Dani Sawyer (finger) over recent weeks.
Their absence could well open the door for the Demons’ new attacking combination of Bridie Curran and Steph Henson to have a big game, especially with NNW United defenders Taylen Blachford and Aleesha Flanagan expected to lock down on Kangas goalies Carmen Dye and Kobie McIvor.
Tip – NNW United to win by five goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v BALRANALD
WHO would have thought at the start of this season that Saturday’s match between Tooleybuc-Manangatang and reigning premiers Balranald would be so important for the Roos.
Last year’s premiers find themselves outside the top five with a 3-3 record to start the season.
Despite the losses, their form has still been strong, with their three defeats all coming against classy opposition in close games.
While Tooleybuc-Manangatang have been steadily improving as the season has progressed, Balranald will be a steep rise in grade for a young and developing side.
They may have many talented players coming up through the ranks, including Jayda Plant and Summer Blachford, but Balranald should still have too much class, with Jess Parry, Elli-Jane Brougham and Hannah Morton to account for the Saints.
Tip – Balranald to win by 18 goals.
KERANG v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
KERANG will play host to Koondrook-Barham in the final match of round 8, aiming to break a two-match losing streak and break back into the top three.
They’ll have no better chance than against the Raiders, who are yet to taste victory in 2023 despite showing significant signs of improvement.
While they may have gone down to Lake Boga by 42 goals last Saturday, there were still plenty of positives for the rebuilding Koondrook-Barham and head coach Grant Matthews to take from a game against a high-quality opponent.
Saturday will be another opportunity for the Raiders to test their development against a quality side, with Kerang having match-winners all over the court.
The one test for the Blues will be whether coach Chloe Adams and midcourt runner Olivia Jones take their place in the side, having missed last Saturday’s 21-goal loss to Woorinen.
Tip – Kerang to win by 19 goals.
