TYNTYNDER v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang will be aiming to win their fourth consecutive game and continue their charge towards the top five when they play Tyntynder at the Alan Garden Reserve Saturday afternoon.
The Saints will be without Amy Standen, after she suffered a game ending leg injury against NNW United last weekend, while the Bulldogs will regain the services Demi Hallam, Violet Corrie and Issy Corrie.
While Hallam and Violet Corrie will transform Tyntynder’s attacking third, it’s in the defence where most of their concern will be, with goal keeper Bridgette King set to miss the all-important clash.
King’s absence couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Bulldogs, with Zoe Morris transforming Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s attack alongside the underrated Summer Blachford in recent weeks.
The other key battle is expected to be in the midcourt with Tyntynder’s Tamara Weiss and the Saints Jayda Plant likely to do battle in the centre.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by eight goals.
COHUNA v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
THE Cohuna Kangas will finally be at full strength when they host Koondrook-Barham in a must-win match for both clubs this weekend.
The Kangas will welcome Carly Geary and Dannielle Bird to their line-up, with both players set to help strengthen both ends of the court for the Kangas.
The affects won’t just be felt in either goal ring however, for the home side, with the return of Bird likely to see Tanner Edwards return to the centre for Cohuna where she can help Taylor Hird and Lilly Guerin control the midcourt.
That will of course be easier said than done however, with Koondrook-Barham also possessing one of the most potent midcourt combinations of Remy Doyle, Elly Bookham and Ayla McGowan.
The other big positive for the Raiders was the return of defender Sophie Peacock to their line-up during their 30-goal win over Balranald last Saturday, with Peacock’s return expected to have the added affect of pushing sister Emma out of the defensive goal ring to help further strengthen their midcourt.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham to win by nine goals.
NNW UNITED v LAKE BOGA
NYAH-NYAH West United will have no better chance to break through for their first win of the season than Saturday’s round 11 encounter with Lake Boga.
It has been a tough season for the Demons, who have been battered with injuries to key players such as Matika Mitchell.
Lake Boga on the other hand will not only go in at full strength but also full of confidence after improved performances in recent weeks.
While an 18-goal loss to the Mallee Eagles last Saturday may not indicate it, the Magpies were extremely competitive against the ladder leaders in general play and impressed with some of their talented youngsters such as Montana Davies, Ruby Ryan and Milla Holt.
With midcourter Maddie Hickey also settling in after playing the last two matches, the Magpies deserve to go in as favourites.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by five goals.
BALRANALD v SWAN HILL
IT will be win or bust for Balranald on Saturday when they host Swan Hill at Greenham Park, with anything less than victory likely to end their finals hopes.
With the Roos currently two-and-a-half games behind the fifth placed Swans on the ladder and on the back of a five game losing streak, there is now no margin for error for the home side.
While Swan Hill will go into the match with a largely unchanged side, Balranald will welcome back midcourter Taylin Barry and goal shooter Bec Harvey, who is set to replace youngster Macy Lloyd.
Barry will play a key role for the Roos in the midcourt opposed to Swans key playmaker Karli McIntyre, with Jess Parry and Kelly Bonney set to be another all-important individual match-up for both teams.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by six goals.
