WOORINEN v COHUNA
FOR the second week in a row, Cohuna will be missing key players Carly Geary and Danni Bird in a season defining game for the Kangas.
Geary and Bird’s absences were key factors in Cohuna’s nine-goal loss to Swan Hill last Saturday, with the Kangas left undermanned at both ends of the court without their first choice goal shooter (Bird) and goal keeper (Geary).
Youngster Paige O’Connell did a mighty job in containing the dangerous Kelly Bonney last Saturday, but her assignment will much tougher when the Kangas meet top three contenders Woorinen Saturday afternoon.
It will be a youthful defence containing O’Connell and goal attack Marli Easton that will be required to quell one of the league’s most dangerous attacking combinations in Tayla Bennett and Willow Conlan.
Averaging just over 50 goals per game this season, Woorinen have proven to take some stopping by even the most experienced defences over the first nine games, with the pressure instead going on the Kangas’ midcourt to help O’Connell and Easton out by putting pressure on their Tigers opponents.
The midcourt battle is where the game is expected to be won and lost, with Ava Crow, Chloe Militto and Violet Martinez to lock horns with Taylor Hird, Tanner Edwards and Lilly Guerin.
As talented as Cohuna’s midcourt is, it’s hard to go past the Tigers as winning form – with four straight wins – is good form.
Tip – Woorinen to win by four goals.
LAKE BOGA v MALLEE EAGLES
LAKE Boga will be at full strength for the first time this season ahead of their clash against unbeaten ladder leaders the Mallee Eagles on Saturday.
Young midcourter Ruby Ryan is set to return from an ankle injury for the Magpies, giving them a full team after Maddie Hickey made her debut in the black and white during last weekend’s two-goal loss to Tyntynder.
Hickey was a strong contributor in the midcourt against the Bulldogs, alongside Montana Davies and Steph Anderson, with the addition of Ryan expected to give Lake Boga some much needed depth through the centre third.
That depth will be required if the Magpies are to compete against the team many consider to be the premiership favourites, with the Eagles possessing perhaps the most talented all-court spread in the Central Murray.
Much of their dominance stems from their midcourt, with Lily Brennan, Alicia Harvey and Kasey Torr not only fit and quick, but also clean and accurate with their passing down the court and into the ring.
Their ability to feed Megan Thorneycroft and Julia Amezdroz with quality ball sees the Eagles sit as the leagues number one attacking team, with an average of almost 55 goals per game this season.
Although the Magpies have shown significant signs of improvement in recent weeks, Saturday’s task looks to be a challenge to great for the reigning premiers.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 18 goals.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v NNW UNITED
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang will be aiming to further close the gap to a spot in the top five with a third consecutive victory when they host Nyah-Nyah West United at Manangatang Saturday afternoon.
Wins over fellow finals contenders Balranald and Cohuna have the Saints currently sitting just two wins behind fifth placed Swan Hill.
With the Swans enjoying the bye on Saturday, that opens the door for Tooleybuc-Manangatang to further bridge that gap as the season starts its run towards September.
The Saints strong run of form can be attributed to three key factors in recent weeks – the return of Zoe Morris, the strong defensive combination of Olivia Fowler and Taylah Morris and the continued development of young gun Jayda Plant.
Morris has been a vital inclusion for the Tooleybuc-Manangatang, with the experienced goal shooter scoring 54 goals in the past two matches and providing the Saints with a strong target in their attacking third.
Her presence could potentially force a reshuffle for the Demons, who were outgunned in defence against Kerang last Saturday.
While the absence of a recognised shooter has troubled NNW United for most of the season and forced them to play Taylen Blachford in attack, Saturday could force the Demons’ hierarchy to move Blachford back into defence against her former side.
Complicating matters for the visitors will be the absence of key midcourters Matika Mitchell and Shania Decker through injury, with NNW United’s depth set to be sorely tested.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by 12 goals.
See also: Key outs to hurt Roos
