TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v WOORINEN
SATURDAY’S clash against Tooleybuc-Manangatang looms as a danger match for the third placed Woorinen, who need to continue their winning ways if they are to retain their top three spot.
Despite not yet getting the wins on the board, the Saints have pushed both Koondrook-Barham and Swan Hill all the way to the line in recent weeks, while the Tigers were forced to come from behind to beat the winless Lake Boga last Saturday.
Lily Den Houting has quickly become a key player for Woorinen in the continued absence of Tessa Demaria, with the combination of Tayla Bennett and Willow Conlan in the Tigers’ attacking third also one of their team’s big strengths.
For the Saints, their advantage lies in defence, with Olivia Fowler growing in confidence with each match and Taylah Morris reading the play better than most defenders.
Tip -Woorinen to win by four goals.
KERANG v BALRANALD
BOTH Kerang and Balranald are expected to go into Saturday’s match at Riverside Park with unchanged line-ups.
While they will both go into the weekend with the same sides, they are in very different positions, with the Blues fighting for top spot and the Roos fighting for a spot in the top five.
Balranald were humbled by 27 goals last Saturday against the Mallee Eagles, who like Kerang, are yet to lose this season, with Saturday seen as an equally difficult task.
The key will be making sure they get away to a far more competitive start, having been 12 goals down at quarter time against the Eagles.
The inclusion of Emmersen Schoenberg was a bonus for Balranald and gave them another option in attack, which will be required against the well organised defence of Chloe Adams, Maddy Black and Lily Wise.
Tip – Kerang to win by 12 goals.
MALLEE EAGLES v TYNTYNDER
THE Mallee Eagles will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they host Tyntynder at Lalbert Saturday afternoon.
Although the Bulldogs tasted success for the first time this season last Saturday, this game looms as a reality check for the visitors against a side who has taken all before them so far this season.
Making Tyntynder’s task harder will be the absence of Tamara Weiss, with the star centre having been consistently among the Bulldogs’ better players over the past month.
Weiss is expected to be replaced in the starting seven by Milla Nalder, with the young midcourter to be given a baptism of fire against the likes of Alicia Harvey, Lily Brennan and Kasey Torr.
As such, the Bulldogs will be looking for big games from experienced pair Elvie Kelly-Britten and Taylah Woodward through the middle of the court, along with defenders Bridget Dedini and Bridgette King.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 15 goals.
LAKE BOGA v COHUNA
COHUNA will be without goal attack Carla Walker for Saturday’s match against Lake Boga, after the Kangas shooter was a concussion last Saturday.
Kobie McIvor is expected to replace Walker for the match, with the Kangas needing the four points in order to maintain touch with the top five after a challenging start to the season.
Lake Boga will also have a different look about them to the team which last Saturday succumbed to Woorinen by 10 goals, with Sarah Hepburn going out of the team having joined her former club for a one-off game.
Milla Holt will return to the Magpies line-up in place of Hepburn and will again team up with Jessica Weaver.
Who they will line up against remains to be seen, with Carly Geary having the potential to play at either end of the court in the absence of Walker, with Marli Easton, Lucy Palmer and Charli Taylor all options to play in defence for Cohuna.
Tip – Cohuna to win by eight goals.
