SWAN HILL v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
REIGNING premiers Swan Hill will be out to make it two from two to start the new season when they host Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
While the Swans have undergone significant personnel change this season, they remain a quality outfit, with Stevie Bibby one such inclusion who has strengthened their line-up.
Zoe Morris will miss tomorrow’s match with injury once again, and Peyton Oliver joins the goal shooter on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang will also go into tomorrow’s match with a different line-up, Olivia Fowler set to return to the defensive third, Rhiann O’Meara set to miss and Shania Nunn in doubt.
The Swans proved too strong for Woorinen last Saturday and while the Saints showed significant improvement against a quality Mallee Eagles in round 1, the reigning premiers should prove too strong at home.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 15 goals.
KERANG v TYNTYNDER
TYNTYNDER will welcome back defender Nicola Miliano to their side when they face off against Kerang in an important early season game.
The Bulldogs were impressive in their match against the Kangas last Saturday and will fancy themselves against a Kerang side that has improved their playing stocks but is still in the process of gelling together.
Bridget Dedini (28 goals) and Kelsey Rowe (20) formed a strong partnership in goals for the Bulldogs, but will face a significant test opposed to Chloe Adams and Keiarah Brooks, while the inclusion of Miliano at the other end should help the visitors combat the dangerous Jamison Wise.
With both teams evenly matched at either end of the court, this game appears destined to be decided in the middle third, where the team who can dominate possession is expected to take home the win.
Tip – Kerang to win by three goals.
NNW UNITED v WOORINEN
AFTER a strong performance against the reigning premiers last Saturday, Woorinen will go into their match against NNW United as favourites.
The Tigers will welcome Amy Cadd back to help strengthen their line-up, while the Demons will go into their first home match of the season unchanged and full of confidence after their 30-goal win over the Raiders.
The addition of Matika Mitchell into the middle proved to be a masterstroke last weekend, and her match-up against Jaimee Beasy will be one to watch, as will the contest between Woorinen’s new shooting combination Willow Conlan and Toni Bolton and NNW United defenders Taylen Blachford and Shanai Kelly.
With early season wins at a premium, this result could have huge ramifications for the finals chances of both sides, but particularly for Woorinen, who would not want to be 0-2 come Saturday evening.
Tip – Woorinen to win by nine goals.
COHUNA KANGAS v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
AFTER an encouraging performance against Tyntynder last Saturday, Cohuna will be hoping to break through for their first win of 2024 when they host Koondrook-Barham.
The Kangas are expected to go in with an unchanged line-up and will be hoping for big games from wing attack Taylor Hird, goal keeper Carly Geary and centre Sammi Moon, who were all among Cohuna’s better players in round 1.
The Raiders on the other hand were well served Tlarnee Lake and Remy Doyle in their loss to NNW United last weekend, with the match-up between Moon and Doyle in the centre likely to go a long way towards deciding the winner.
Cohuna showed that they will be a much-improved side this season in a match that ebbed and flowed all afternoon against the Dogs and if they can produce a similar vein of form tomorrow, should get the job done against the Raiders.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 15 goals.
