AFTER shock losses last weekend, both Swan Hill and Kerang will be determined to return to the winners’ list and correct their stuttering finals campaigns when they meet Saturday afternoon.
It has been a month to forget for perennial finalists Swan Hill, who after losing two of their past three matches now find themselves clinging to fifth spot on the Central Murray A grade ladder.
While the Swans appear to be the team most in danger of missing the finals with Tooleybuc-Manangatang, Balranald and Cohuna all trying to usurp them, the Blues are also in the midst of a form slump, having lost their past three games after starting the season with nine consecutive wins.
Last Saturday’s three-goal loss to Koondrook-Barham was the most damaging however, with Kerang’s position within the all-important top three no longer certain with the Raiders and Tigers also joining them on nine wins for the season.
Although absences to key players can be considered factors in the losses, it has left the Blues precariously placed ahead of Saturday’s match, according to Kerang co-coach Chloe Adams.
“The last three weeks and the three losses have definitely been disappointing,” Adams told The Guardian this week.
“There were reasons to why we lost all three games, even on the weekend we were without Katelyn (Wright) in the second half and losing her really rocked our attack end and changed things.
“But in saying that, we were still up by six goals going into the last quarter without Katelyn and then we just lost our heads in that last quarter.
“For us, it’s all about keeping our composure and being able to play the full 60 minutes of netball, regardless of who is and who isn’t on the court.
“I think these couple of last couple of weeks have been really crucial for us in identifying to the group that we need everyone to be switched on for the whole time in order to get those wins.”
While Kerang will be feeling the pressure of ending their losing streak, it will be far from easy for the Swans as well, who are faced with not only needing to win as many of their final four matches as possible.
To make matters worse, the Swans also face a difficult run home against top opposition, with every match starting Saturday seen as a finals like contest, according to Swan Hill coach Casey Frame.
“Kerang will be a really tough game for us as they are obviously coming off some losses and I’m sure they will be wanting to bounce back just as we are,” Frame said.
“I’m excited about this weekend though, I feel like we had a great second half against them the first time I played them (back in round 3).
“We were still trying to figure out what our best team would look like last time and I feel we’re a bit more settled in terms of who’s best suited and in what positions this time around.
“We’ve had a lot of growth since the start of the season from our younger girls.
“With youth often comes a bit of inconsistency, but when we’re on we know we can be tough to beat.”
It was a slow start that cost Swan Hill back in round 3, with the Blues opening up a 13-goal lead at half-time, before the Swans fought back after the main break to eventually go down by 10 goals.
Kerang’s bookends proved the difference last time, with Adams and Maddy Black in defence limiting the influence Swan Hill’s Kelly Bonney, Ava Seymour and Frame in attack.
Similarly at the opposite end of the court, Wright and goal shooter Denise Roberts proved to be a constant headache for the Swan Hill defence with the pair expected to be key players once again.
Although the Blues may have the advantage with height in the expected wet conditions, the midcourt battle could prove to be where the Swans dominate, with Karli McIntyre, Miela Roberts, Hayley Neuschafer and Seymour expected to give the home side an advantage in the middle third.
Tip – Kerang to win by five goals.
