MALLEE EAGLES v SWAN HILL
THE Mallee Eagles will be without goal shooter Megan Thorneycroft for Saturday’s highly anticipated clash against Swan Hill at Lalbert.
It will be one of the few times this season the Eagles will not be at full strength, with their consistency one of the key reasons they have so far remained unbeaten in 2025.
Although a win will almost guarantee the Eagles finish on top of the ladder, it’s the Swans that will have the most to play for, having fallen from the top five following last weekend’s three-goal loss to Kerang.
With a difficult run home, Swan Hill will need to upset one of the leading contenders if they are to see September action, with Saturday presenting as perhaps that opportunity.
The Eagles are the Central Murray’s leading scorers this year and average almost 55 goals per game, although without Thorneycroft in the circle, that goal scoring capacity is expected to take a hit.
The key for Swan Hill will be to win their share of ball through the midcourt and not allow the Eagles’ quick transition from defence to attack, with Kelly Bonney and Ava Seymour also needing to make their opportunities count.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by eight goals.
BALRANALD v COHUNA
IT will be a case of win or bust when Balranald hosts the Cohuna Kangas at Greenham Park Saturday afternoon.
Both Balranald (8th) and Cohuna (7th) remain in the finals race, but with both clubs needing to win almost every match from here on in, both the Roos and Kangas’ seasons hinge on Saturday’s result.
Balranald are expected to go in with an unchanged team following their 19-goal win over Tyntynder a fortnight ago, while Cohuna will be without goal keeper and key player Carly Geary for the must-win match.
Geary will be a huge loss for the Kangas, with youngster Paige O’Connell expected to step in and guard Bec Harvey.
The match is likely to be decided at the other end of the court however, with Cohuna’s dangerous attacking combination of Danni Bird and Carla Walker set to go up against former Julie Wardle Medallist Jess Parry and Bonnie Jolliffe.
Tip – Cohuna to win by one goal.
TYNTYNDER v WOORINEN
WOORINEN will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins and retain their top three spot when they face-off against Tyntynder this weekend.
The Tigers were made to work against NNW United in difficult conditions last Saturday, with a strong second half showing eventually seeing the yellow and black army pull away in the second half.
Ava Crow returned from a knee injury against the Demons and will be better for the run, with the Tigers’ slick ball movement and strong attacking end also expected to enjoy the more favourable conditions on Saturday.
It’s fair to say season 2025 hasn’t gone to plan for the Bulldogs, who go into the match on the back of a four game losing streak.
Although injuries have seemingly ruined any chance of a finals finish this season, Tyntynder’s best netball can still be very good and if they can get the ball into the hands Violet Corrie, Elvie Kelly-Britten and Tamara Weiss more often than not, then they could be a chance of a massive upset.
Tip – Woorinen to win by nine goals.
NNW UNITED v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
KOONDROOK-Barham will go into Saturday’s match against Nyah-Nyah West United as favourites, with the visitors looking to make it five wins on the trot.
The Raiders are one of the form teams of the Central Murray at present, having won seven of their past eight matches, and appear destined to make a statement in this year’s finals series if they can break back into the top three.
That is no guarantee at present however, with the Raiders needing to win almost every match in order to leapfrog over either Kerang or Woorinen in the next month.
While Koondrook-Barham are expected to go into the game unchanged, the Demons are hoping to welcome back defender Emily Hickey for the all-important clash.
Although NNW United are without a win this season, there has also been an encouraging shift in form over the past month, with the Demons showing an ability to compete against finals contenders Woorinen, Cohuna and Swan Hill at stages in games.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham to win by 12 goals.
