SWAN Hill will be determined to retain fifth spot on the ladder when they host the Cohuna Kangas in a make-or-break encounter for both clubs Saturday afternoon.
While the Swans currently sit a game clear in fifth on the Central Murray ladder, the Kangas have a game in hand, making Saturday’s clash a crucial one for the finals aspirations of both clubs.
Last weekend proved to be a lucky escape for Swan Hill, who held on to defeat a fast-finishing Tyntynder by one goal in a result that could have gone either way over the dying stages.
While that result could prove vital come the end of the season, so too will Saturday’s match, according to Swan Hill coach Casey Frame, with several other clubs breathing down both hers and the Kangas necks and awaiting a slip up.
“All the teams that are going to most likely push for that fifth position, we only play once this year,” Frame told The Guardian this week.
“Tyntynder, Balranald and Cohuna are all in that mix and it’s obviously a flip of the coin of who’s playing on the day and our win on the weekend (against Tyntynder) is probably evident of that.
“Tooleybuc-Manangatang is in that mix as well and we’re all pretty similar in terms of results and how much we’ve each won or lost against certain teams.
“Cohuna have such a depth of youth that have come out of their under 18 squad over the last two years and they have really built themselves around them.
“They’re really energetic and very boisterous on the court, which can be intimidating, and when they’re on, they’re on.
“They’re definitely going to be a really tough team to beat although I think we’ll match up well against them, fingers crossed the result goes our way.”
Although the Swans will go into the must win encounter with a largely similar squad to the one that took the court last Saturday, the Kangas will be hoping to regain the services of goal attack Carla Walker, who has missed the Kangas past two games after suffering an injury during their round 5 loss to Kerang.
Walker is such an important cog in the well oiled Cohuna machine, with her combination with Danielle Bird a key reason in their strong start to the season.
Walker’s return would also free up Tanner Edwards to return to the Kangas midcourt, where her run and class also proved to be a well utilised weapon for Georgia Anderson’s team.
For Frame and her Swans, their focus remains on themselves, with their focus squarely on making sure they get out of the blocks early Saturday afternoon.
“I think we have to keep concentrating on us and and what we do well and try to keep strengthening our own game,” Frame said.
“We were definitely a bit slow last Saturday in the first quarter, although the second quarter probably won it for us.
“We want to start well and be on from the first whistle so that we don’t have to press reset at quarter time like we did last weekend, we want to start strong and then hopefully they can chase us.
“We definitely want to use our speed, that’s something that’s really pivotal in our game because we’re not a tall team and we want to maintain that defensive pressure, which I think we did for three quarters last week, but we need to do that for all four quarters.”
Tip – Swan Hill to win by two goals.
