SWAN Hill will be desperate to make a statement against crosstown rivals Tyntynder at Alan Garden Reserve.
Suffering their first loss of the season in last Saturday’s grand final rematch, the Swans trailed Lake Boga by just four goals at half-time before being found wanting after the break, conceding 15 of the next 20 goals.
There is no time to dwell on the past, however, the reigning premiers now turning attention to their traditional grudge match against arch-rivals Tyntynder.
Saturday’s exchange takes on even more meaning with the Bulldogs hoping to make it four straight wins.
Swan Hill co-coach Madeleine Nalder said it would be a big game for both teams in the context of their seasons.
“(Tyntynder) have been going really well this season,” Nalder told The Guardian.
“It was a disappointing result for us last Saturday. We were good for a half, but then we dropped off after that, so we’re looking for a bit more of a consistent effort.”
She said the focus had already shifted to Tyntynder.
“We’ve had lots of great battles against them, and Saturday will be no different,” Nalder said.
“It’s never really mattered where either side is on the ladder, for as long as I can remember it’s always been a really competitive tussle.
“We would love to bounce back with a win after last week, but they’ll be just as determined to beat us as well.”
Both sides were expected to have unchanged line-ups, presenting the perfect opportunity for the Bulldogs to claim their first big scalp of the season, and build on recent wins against Tooleybuc-Manangatang, Woorinen and Koondrook-Barham.
First-year coach Kelsey Rowe was confident of another strong showing from her side.
“It’s starting to feel like we’re gelling as a team and we’re finding some good form, which I think will hold us in good stead,” Rowe said.
“I think we’re starting to develop a bit of self-belief, we’ve focused a lot on that at training and not so much the practical side of things, but just backing ourselves and backing each other, and I think that’s showed over the last three weeks.
“We’re definitely aware of how strong (Swan Hill’s) side is and we’ve acknowledged that during the week, that we’ve got a really big test ahead of us this weekend.
“I think the girls are more excited than anything, Swan Hill will be right up there this year and we’re excited to see how we line up against them.
“I think we have some good match-ups that might go our way, but regardless, we’re just looking forward to getting out there and having a crack at them.”
Although Swan Hill are strong all over the court, it’s in attack where their big advantage lies, with Zoe Morris and Casey Frame among the best attacking combination in the league.
Awaiting them, however, is one of the more underrated defensive pairings in Bridgette King and Nichola Miliano, who continue to improve their combination with every game, according to Rowe.
“(Swan Hill’s) attacking end is very experienced and very quick-paced, but we’re a quick side also, so hopefully those defensive match-ups will be nice and tough,” Rowe said.
“We just need to make sure we’re aggressive for the ball across the court and put pressure on their passing game into the ring, and make sure when we do create a turnover, that we make sure we score off it.”
Tip – Swan Hill to win by seven goals.
