MOOROOPNA V SEYMOUR
Mooroopna will be looking to test itself against one of the best teams in the competition as it looks to retain its place at the top of the pile.
The Cats sit at the top of the ladder equal on points with Euroa. They are one of two teams who remain undefeated. Seymour is 3-2 from its five games this season, having had a strong win over Kyabram last round.
The Cats were strong in winning by 27 goals over Rochester.
Sarah Szczykulski held down the defensive end, racking up the intercepts and providing drive for the Lions. She will be very important if the Lions are to combat the shooting trio of Ash Lancaster, Taylah Lloyd and Jac Ball.
Eleisha Saunders played her best game yet in her first season at The Den, providing a crucial link between defence and attack while Courtney Aldous showed her versatility again, playing multiple positions and being a consistent presence across the court.
Dayna Williams, Caitlin McLachlan and Asha Gray were important for the Cats and they will be important if the home team is to keep its undefeated status.
Tip: Mooroopna.
KYABRAM V TATURA
Tatura will be looking to consolidate its place inside the top six when it travels across to take on the winless Kyabram.
The Bulldogs bounced back strongly to overcome Shepparton United last round while the Bombers were competitive in its loss to Seymour.
Isla Carver, Abby Waasdorp and Natasha Dodas were the shining lights in the loss to the Lions.
If they can continue that good form and curb the influence of Molly Kennedy (defence and mid-court), defender Taylor Rokhar and Jasmine Fraser (18 goals in the win over United), then they will fancy their chances of causing an upset and chalking up their first win.
Tip: Tatura.
ECHUCA V SHEPPARTON SWANS
The Shepparton Swans will be looking to continue its strong form when it heads over to the Port of Echuca to take on the reigning premier.
The Swans only won one of their first four games but have bounced back with two brilliant wins over cross-town rivals Shepparton United and Shepparton in consecutive weeks. This has allowed the Swans to believe that they belong.
Last week’s good win allowed them to square the win-loss ledger at 3-3. Shooter Sophie Garner, defender Hannah Garner, mid-courter Harriet Gall were brilliant in the win over the Bears.
Echuca had to stave off a gallant challenge from Mansfield to make it two wins on the bounce after an indifferent start to its premiership defence.
Ash Mangan, Rose Byrne (29 goals), Belinda Lees and Holly Chadwick will be important for the Murray Bombers if they want to make it three wins on the trot.
Tip: Shepparton Swans.
SHEPPARTON V BENALLA
Shepparton will get an opportunity to get its season back on track after successive defeats at the hands of Euroa (2nd) and the Shepparton Swans.
The Bears welcome the winless Benalla and will feel that if they can put together four quarters, then it will hold them in good stead to get the points.
Defenders Kate Symes and Jac Foster will have their hands full trying to contain Shepparton shooter Kim Borger.
Benalla shooters Bridget Hill and Chloe Elliott will be doing their best to try and getting the better of Hannah Crawley and Keeley O’Dwyer to put some scoreboard pressure on the Bears.
In the wash-up I think it will be Shepparton in front at the final whistle.
Tip: Shepparton.
MANSFIELD V SHEPPARTON UNITED
This should be a fantastic game of netball.
Shepparton United is travelling well at 3-3 despite losing its past two games to the Swans and Tatura.
Mansfield is easily the biggest improver of 2024, having already won two games. They hadn’t won a game in the previous two seasons. And they will fancy their chances especially if shooters Molly Rekers and Alex Ball can continue their really good shooting form.
Grace McInneny, Shinea Sali and Charli Boschetti were the shining lights in the loss to the Bulldogs.
If they can continue their good form to ensure the shooters led by the experienced Tamara Skinner can get plenty of opportunities, then the Demons will fancy getting the win.
Nelle Cousins and Darcy Croxford-Demasi will be others that will be vital for the home team if they are to claim a big scalp.
Last round the Eagles lost by 5 goals to the reigning premier after losing to them by 47 goals on Easter Saturday.
It shows the huge improvement the Eagles have made over a very short period.
Tip: Shepparton United.
ROCHESTER V EUROA
After a promising start to 2024, Rochester has struggled in recent weeks and it is without a win since round two.
It has lost its past four games and it is struggling to score goals without its regular shooters.
And, it doesn’t get any easier against the red-hot Euroa.
The Magpies are undefeated and sitting second on percentage behind Mooroopna.
Kellie Davidson, Hollie Reid and Olivia Morris were outstanding in the big win over Benalla last start and Ella Roulston and Jaime Dingwell will be doing their best for Rochester as it looks to try and burst the Euroa bubble.
I think the balance of Euroa right across the court will prove the difference in the final wash-up.
Tip: Euroa.
