By Sam Saracino
SHEPPARTON V BENALLA
Shepparton faces an important game to try and get back on the winners’ list and put some breathing space between itself in sixth place and the chasing pack.
The Bears were competitive against the reigning premier Seymour last Saturday.
Coach Tracey Brereton will be working with her girls to put together four consistent quarters and to do that she will turn to shooters Jane Cook and Madeline Gray to lead the way along with experienced defender Ash Cann and youngster Eliza Bicknell to continue her strong start to her A-grade career.
Benalla will turn to shooter Natalie Pritchard, Megan Morrison and Olivia Dalton to try and revive their season after only one win in 2023. Tip: Shepparton.
KYABRAM V SHEPPARTON SWANS
The Shepparton Swans face a must win when it makes the short trip across to Kyabram.
A loss and coach Courtney Simpson will have a big challenge on her hands in the second half of the season to attempt to revive their top six hopes.The Swans will take solace from the fact that they pushed Tatura all the way before going down by six goals.
Kyabram will look to Hollie Reid, Elivia Hall and shooter Alyssa Trebilcock to try and lead them to their first win of 2023. Tip: Kyabram.
MANSFIELD V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Mansfield went within five goals of pulling off what would have been the upset of 2023 against Mooroopna last weekend.
Coach Nelle Cousins would have been thrilled by what her team dished up against the undefeated Cats.
She will look to her goal attack, Isobel Anderson and mid-courter Darcy Croxford-Demasi to try and lead the Eagles to their first win since 2021.
The Demons were able to celebrate a good win over Kyabram and at the same time celebrate the milestone of Diaz Barzen. Barzen saddled up for her 50th club game last weekend.
Laura Cole, Olivia Kirby and Georgie Walpole will be important if the Demons want to keep within striking distance of the top six.
The trio have been leading from the front as the Demons like to stay in touch with the top six teams. Tip: Shepparton United.
ROCHESTER V EUROA
Euroa is the form team of the competition along with Mooroopna.
The Pies welcomed Annabelle Gorman to the team last weekend and she made an immediate impact in her first game for the club with 37 goals. She was well supported in goals by Mia Sudormirski and Kellie Davidson through the mid-court.
That led to a 19-goal win over Echuca to back-up its strong performance in inflicting Tatura’s first loss in round 7 and at the same time enhance its premiership aspirations.
Rochester currently sits outside the top six by 2 points and this will be a massive test of its improvement against Euroa.If they are to clip the wings of the Magpies, then they are going to need to make every post a winner. Tip: Euroa.
TATURA V SEYMOUR
This promises to be a fantastic game of netball and it will show where these two teams sit at the half-way mark of the season.
Both are sitting at 7-1 and a win would give them bragging rights coupled with a spot in the top two on the ladder.
The reigning premier has the form of the board while Tatura is looking to be a genuine contender in 2023.
Courtney Aldous was pivotal in the defence end in the 14-goal win over the Bears while Casey Adamson will be hoping to continue her strong form from last weekend.
Rosie O’Sullivan and Ellie Fuhrmeister will be others looking to continue their good form for the Lions.
The Bulldogs will look to mid-courters Taylor Rokhar and Elise Boyer while shooters Julia Clarke and Jasmine Fraser will need to make every opportunity count to put the Lions under scoreboard pressure. Tip: Seymour.
ECHUCA V MOOROOPNA
This is a big test for both teams.
Echuca is clinging onto its place in the top six and a loss could see them dumped out if other results don’t go according to plan for them.
The Murray Bombers were beaten by red-hot Euroa last weekend while the Cats had to claw their way back from a small deficit against Mansfield to eventually finish five goals clear and remain undefeated.
Cats coach Di Hanslow will be hoping to have Shelby Britten and Ella Ogier available for the trip to Echuca while the height of Caitlin McLachlan and Taylah Lloyd in defence will be important as they try to keep Echuca shooters Belinda Lees and Sheridan Townrow at bay.If the Cats’ shooters can get on top of the experienced Echuca defensive third, then I think they can remain undefeated. Tip: Mooroopna.
