KOONDROOK-BARHAM v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
AFTER pushing Swan Hill all the way last Saturday, Tooleybuc-Manangatang will be aiming to take their first big scalp of the season when they play Koondrook-Barham Saturday afternoon.
The Saints were desperately unlucky to not claim their second win of the season, with Saturday’s match now shaping as a danger game for the fourth placed Raiders.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang will be without Amy Standen after she injured her calf in last week’s loss, while star centre Jayda Plant is also in doubt after injuring her ankle.
If Plant is unable to take her place in the side for the visitors, the game will be all the poorer for it, with the crowd then robbed of the opportunity to watch two of the most talented midcourters in the league go head-to-head out of the centre, with Remy Doyle her likely opponent.
If Plant plays and is fully fit, Tooleybuc-Manangatang are a sneaky chance of causing an upset – but if not, then the home team should prevail.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham to win by five goals.
WOORINEN v LAKE BOGA
AFTER two consecutive losses, Woorinen will be looking to return to the winners list when they host Lake Boga Saturday afternoon.
Having sat atop the Central Murray ladder heading into round 4, it has been a swift fall from grace for the Tigers, with losses to the Mallee Eagles and Kerang.
Having come up short against two teams expected to be battling it out – along with themselves – at the end of the season, Woorinen should be able to account for the Magpies Saturday afternoon.
While Tessa Demaria and Courtney Lolicato will be missing once more, Tayla Bennett will return for Woorinen, with the goal shooter expected to provide the Tigers with an immediate boost in confidence.
Lake Boga will go into the match far from full strength either, with Milla Holt and Maddie Hickey both missing from the Magpies team.
Tip – Woorinen to win by 13 goals.
BALRANALD v MALLEE EAGLES
THE undefeated Mallee Eagles will be back to full strength for their clash with Balranald at Greenham Park Saturday afternoon.
Having taken all before them so far this season, the ladder leaders will this week regain the services of midcourter star Kasey Torr, with Alicia Harvey likely to move back to the centre and Lily Brennan to wing defence as a result.
While the Eagles appear to be the team to beat this season, the Roos are also beginning to build into their season as their new look combinations start to gel.
Their two goal, come from behind win over NNW United will have done their confidence no harm ahead of Saturday’s contest, but with a much tougher test this week than last, expect the Eagles to make it six straight wins to start the season.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 12 goals
TYNTYNDER v NNW UNITED
NYAH-Nyah West United will regain the services of star midcourter Taigan O’Shannassy for Saturday’s must-win clash against Tyntynder.
O’Shannassy’s return means the Demons will be at full strength Saturday, with both clubs still chasing their first win of the season.
Both appear to be evenly matched ahead of Saturday’s encounter, with the Bulldogs forced to share the points against Balranald a fortnight ago, while the Demons suffered a heart breaking two-goal loss to the Roos last weekend.
On court, the centre third looms as being the key battle ground for both clubs, with much of NNW United’s drive coming from O’Shannassy, Matika Mitchell, Lucy Millard and Shania Decker.
It’s a similar scenario for the Bulldogs however, with Tamara Weiss, Taylah Woodward and Elvie Kelly-Britten playing a key role for their team.
With Zoe Spence-Benfield set to kiss for Tyntynder, her absence could be just the advantage the Demons need to get over the line.
Tip – NNW United to win by two goals.
