MATCH OF THE ROUND
SWAN HILL v LAKE BOGA
TOP spot will be the prize when unbeaten Lake Boga squares off against league heavyweight Swan Hill tomorrow afternoon.
After setting the pace for the first half of the season, the Magpies face their biggest test yet against the Swans, who themselves have lost just one of their opening eight games.
With tomorrow’s game being the only time the two teams will meet before a likely finals encounter, the result will also have a major bearing on who finishes on top – and earns themselves a direct path to the second semi-final.
Perennial finalists Swan Hill know what it takes at the business end of the season and joint coach Madeleine Nalder expected a finals-like game, requiring her team’s best to win.
“(Lake Boga have) certainly been the benchmark team this season, having not dropped a game, but we’re looking forward to seeing where we’re at and having a red-hot crack at them,” Nalder said.
“They have quality players all over the court and we’re going to have to make sure we’re well prepared and execute on the day.
“The Hepburn sisters are really strong, tall targets in their attacking end, so we’ll have to pressure the ball as much as we can and try to limit their impact on the scoreboard.
“It will be a challenge for us, but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to.”
It was a similar story for Lake Boga, who themselves are no strangers to the atmosphere of finals.
A grade coach Anne-Marie Stewart told The Guardian her team were not only well prepared, but looking forward to the challenge .
“Swan Hill have changed up their side over the past few weeks, so how they start, especially in the defensive end, will be interesting,” Stewart said.
“We’re playing well as a team across the court at the moment, but Swan Hill are a smart side and utilise their players well.
“Like any other week, we’ll go in with a strong focus on our game and goals, and coming off a physical, fast paced game against Kerang after a few weeks off, I think has given us a good lead-in.”
One of Lake Boga’s big strengths has been their consistency, with a similar line-up from week to week, headlined by Holly Hogan in the midcourt and a combination of Jemma Meehan and the Peacock sisters – Sophie and Emma – in defence.
The Swans will be hoping to counter with their flexibility, especially in their attacking third, with experienced goalers Zoe Morris, Ingrid Condely and Casey Frame all able to play under the ring.
“One of our strengths is the flexibility within our side and our ability to change our structure and match-ups within the game,” Nalder said.
“We’re still exploring what our best side looks like and what our best combinations are and we’re likely to do that again this weekend, just to see how we can best match up against the team that’s really been the benchmark of the competition so far.
“We’re always thinking of ways we can try and contain the opposition most weeks, but our focus is always on playing to our strengths and how we play our best netball.
“We’ll have to make sure we’re ready for the contest and prepared to play a four-quarter game of netball, because they are a great team and if we have any lapses in concentration, they’ll make us pay for it with their ability to score quickly.”
One of the key match-ups will be in the centre, with Lake Boga playmaker Holly Hogan set to face off against Swan Hill’s in-form centre Kelsey McCoy.
Karli McIntyre and Casey Frame, who has moved played in the WA bib over the past few weeks, will also have their hands full containing Lily Brennan and Taigan O’Shannassy.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by one goal.
MALLEE EAGLES v WOORINEN
AFTER a confidence boosting two-goal victory over reigning premiers Balranald last Saturday, the Mallee Eagles will be desperate to continue their winning run when they host Woorinen.
With the Eagles’ five straight wins and the Tigers on a three-game streak – including a two-goal win over Swan Hill recently – each bring a strong form line.
The outcome could well rest on the attacking ends of the court, with both teams possessing dominant goalers.
While Kellie Walker, along with Megan Thorneycroft, have been in strong form for the Eagles, the same can be said for Tayla Bennett and Emily Siely at Woorinen.
The only question is whether Bennett takes her place in the Tigers line-up, having missed last Saturday’s win over the Saints.
If Bennett plays, then the Tigers will go in slight favourites – but if she doesn’t, an upset could well be on the cards.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by two goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
THERE will also be significant interest when the league’s bottom two teams clash.
The Saints will travel to Manangatang for the first time this season and will be looking to secure their second win of the campaign against the winless Koondrook-Barham.
Both teams would most likely prefer to forget their past fortnight, with heavy losses to top-five teams denting their confidence.
While the Raiders have a number of quality youngsters pushing through their ranks, including Remy Doyle, Tess Doyle and Ruby Lake, Tooleybuc-Manangatang have the edge in experience, especially with Taylah Morris and Leonie Kentish in defence.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by seven goals.
NNW UNITED v BALRANALD
IT’S now do-or-die time for last year’s reigning premiers, who suffered another heartbreaking defeat at home last weekend and are now at risk of missing finals altogether.
Balranald are a game and percentage outside the top five and, while go into the game against Nyah-Nyah West United favourites, they can ill-afford any slip-ups.
The Demons suffered their own heartbreaking loss, going down to Tyntynder by a solitary goal in coach Laura Anderson’s return to the court.
If Taylen Blachford and Aleesha Flanagan can find a way to contain Jess Parry and in-form goaler Ella Mirtschin, then NNW United could be a chance of causing an upset – provided they also pick their way through Balranald’s defensive combination of Elli Brougham, Hannah Morton and Bree Hodgson.
Tip – Balranald to win by 15 goals.
COHUNA KANGAS v TYNTYNDER
THE Cohuna Kangas will host an improving Tyntynder, with the both teams hoping to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The Kangas will be fresh, having not played for three weeks, while the Bulldogs will be match fit, following a one-goal win over NNW United last Saturday and a 41-goal defeat to Swan Hill a fortnight ago.
Exactly who takes to the court for the Kangas, and whether Keely Wilson or Danielle Sawyer have recovered from early season injuries, will likely have a big bearing on the outcome.
If one, or both, are available, the advantage will lie with Cohuna – if not, expect Kelsey Rowe and Kimberley Calvert to dominate and lead Tyntynder to their fourth win of the season. Tip – Tyntynder to win by six goals.
