KERANG v COHUNA
MUCH like the Saints and Raiders, Saturday’s clash between Kerang and Cohuna is expected to have a big say on who finishes where ahead of this year’s Central Murray A Grade finals series.
Neither the Blues or Kangas can afford a loss when they meet at Riverside Park on Saturday, with Kerang clinging to third place by just five percent ahead of a determined Woorinen.
Cohuna on the other hand not only need the four points in order to keep their finals hopes alive, but also require Tooleybuc-Manangatang to lose their final two matches.
The two rivals will go into Saturday’s match at full strength, with the Kangas beginning to show the form that they promised at the beginning of the season.
Their seven-goal loss to the Mallee Eagles last Saturday was an encouraging performance from Cohuna, who played a physical and attacking brand of netball.
That is when the Kangas are at their best and with Tanner Edwards, Taylor Hird and Carla Walker all in-form, Kerang can expect more of the same on Saturday.
For Kerang, the key will lie in providing good supply to their dominant goalies Denise Roberts and Katelyn Wright, who continue to pose problems for opposition defences week after week.
Tip – Kerang to win by one goal.
LAKE BOGA v WOORINEN
BOTH Lake Boga and Woorinen will be at full strength when the two clubs clash Saturday afternoon.
While the Magpies’ finals dream has long been extinguished, the fourth placed Tigers still have plenty to play for, with a top three finish and double chance still very much on the cards.
That’s on the proviso that Woorinen secure the four points on Saturday, which despite the gap in the two clubs’ ladder positions, will be easier said than done.
It’s fair to say the Magpies had their colours lowered last Saturday, with the Raiders claiming 32-goal win, but their form prior to that defeat had been solid with three wins from their previous four matches.
With the Tigers coming off the bye and following a hard-fought four-goal win over Tyntynder at their latest fixture, Saturday is a definite danger game for the yellow and black army, despite having Tessa Demaria and Ava Crow back from injury.
Tip – Woorinen to win by four goals.
MALLEE EAGLES v BALRANALD
THE Mallee Eagles will go into their final home game of the season against Balranald as red-hot favourites to claim their 15th straight win of the season.
Having already sewn up the minor premiership, the Eagles will look to consolidate their form ahead of this year’s finals series having been tested against Cohuna last Saturday.
While it took the Eagles until the final buzzer to shake the Kangas, the passed the test of Cohuna’s physicality and pressure to remain unbeaten.
Goal shooter Megan Thorneycroft will return for Mallee on Saturday, while Balranald defender Jess Parry will come into the Roos’ line-up, with the pair expected to go head-to-head in the Eagles’ goal ring.
The Eagles’ midcourt is among the most damaging in the league, but it’s their defensive pairing of Jemma Meehan and Nevaeh Roberts who are expected to be the difference on Saturday, with the Roos needing to find a way to penetrate their goal circle and bring goalers Bec Harvey and Macy Lloyd into the contest.
NNW UNITED v TYNTYNDER
NYAH-Nyah West United will be hoping to finish their 2025 campaign with a bang when they host Tyntynder Saturday afternoon.
Having claimed their first win of the season with an 11-goal victory over Balranald last weekend, the Demons will be intent on ending their season on a high with back-to-back victories.
NNW United will be strengthened by the return of Taigan O’Shannassy and the continued availability of Bridie Curran after switching to play as goal keeper against the Roos.
Much will rest on the availability of Tyntynder young gun Violet Corrie, who missed the Bulldogs’ four-goal loss to Woorinen a fortnight ago.
If Corrie returns, she and Curran will lock horns in a battle that could go a long way towards determining the result.
Having claimed a 17-goal win when these teams last met in round 6, Tyntynder deserve to go in as favourites, but an upset wouldn’t surprise based on the Demons’ current good form.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by two goals.
