BALRANALD will be without key players Bec Harvey and Taylin Barry for Saturday’s must-win match against Koondrook-Barham.
Both Harvey and Barry will miss the all-important encounter, with the Roos in desperate need of the four points, with four consecutive losses seeing them fall ninth on the Central Murray ladder.
It’s a perilous position Balranald find themselves in at the halfway mark of the season, with the Roos needing some upset wins in order to climb the ladder following losses to Tooleybuc-Manangatang and Lake Boga.
More importantly, the Roos need to turn their form around starting with Saturday’s match against the fourth placed Raiders, who themselves need to keep winning in order to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
While the absence of goal shooter Harvey and midcourt dynamo Barry will leave big holes for Balranald to fill, the return of Emmerson Schoenberg should help fill the void left in goals by Harvey.
Although Schoenberg is a wildcard for the Roos, it’s a known problem that will take much of their focus Saturday afternoon, having lost every first quarter over their past five matches.
For Balranald coach Elli-Jane Pollard, it’s a problem she is hoping her team can rectify on Saturday against the Raiders – and before their season slips away.
“Those last couple of losses have really hurt us to be honest and I think a lot of it is down to our starts,” Pollard told The Guardian this week.
“Our starts have been an issue all season and we always seem to be a bit slow out of the blocks and then we’re always chasing the game.
“If we can start off well from the first whistle, hopefully we might see a different result, that and bringing Emmerson into our attack and moving the ball quickly will be the key.
“She is a very quick and agile player, so if we can keep the ball moving quickly into the ring for her, that would be good.”
Schoenberg is expected to partner talented shooter Macy Lloyd, with Jess Parry and Bonnie Jolliffe to hold down the defensive end for the Roos.
Although the Roos’ bookends are sorted for Saturday’s match, the outcome is likely to be decided through the middle third, with Chloe Taylor, Katelyn Hazlett and Isabella Papa expected to be confronted with the strong Koondrook-Barham combination of Remy Doyle, Elly Bookham and Ayla McGowan.
With the Raiders possessing a seemingly stronger midcourt combination on paper, Koondrook-Barham co-coach Emma Peacock is hopeful her team can return to the winners list in style.
“We’re pretty happy with where we’re sitting, but given the match-ups across the court I think it’s going to be a very good game,” Peacock said.
“I think if we are going to win, it will be through our midcourt and the strength we have through there.
“When you have someone as solid as Remy bringing the ball down the court, there’s a lot of confidence in her from the team.
“She brings a very good defensive game as well, she’s very hard to match up on and she’s not someone I’d like to play on myself.”
Along with Doyle, the Raiders have also been well served by their defensive combination of Peacock and Larney Allen, who were both impressive against the dominant Woorinen attack of Tayla Bennett and Willow Conlan.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham to win by nine goals.
See also: Central Murray Round 10 Netball Previews
