MOOROOPNA V EUROA
This promises to be a cracking contest with a grand-final spot the prize for the winner.
The minor premier suffered a narrow loss in the second semi-final to the reigning premier Echuca while Euroa won a high-scoring cut-throat first semi-final against Shepparton.
High-scoring is what Euroa wants as that suits its style while Mooroopna will want similar to what it was like in the qualifying final – low scoring.
This match-up sees the best defensive team (Mooroopna) v the best attacking team (Euroa).
Euroa shooter Olivia Morris was brilliant in the semi-final win over the Bears, scoring 47 of her team’s 74 goals.
The Magpies jumped out of the blocks to drop 22 goals in the first quarter and restrict the Bears to 13.
The second quarter was a tight affair and then the Magpies asserted themselves again by winning the third quarter by six goals and they won the last quarter.
Hollie Reid, Eliza Hoare, Sophie Owen and Kellie Davidson were important for the Magpies through the mid-court while Tyler Marchbank and Ellie Warnock had a good battle with the Shepparton shooters last Sunday.
Mooroopna was able to win one of the four quarters while one quarter it squared with the reigning premier.
Coach Di Hanslow would have been pretty pleased with most aspects with the exception of the final result.
The Cats defended strongly as they have all season through Dayna Williams and Caitlin McLachlan.
They will need to do that again when up against Mia Sudomirski and Morris.
Through the mid-court, Asha Gray, Shelby Brittan and Mia Fallon will be important to ensure the shooters led by captain Ash Lancaster get the supply.
Lancaster will need to get support from Jac Ball, Taylah Lloyd and Eliza Gesler.
This is a real flip of the coin for me, but if the Cats can keep it to a low-scoring affair, then I think they can go that one step further than 2023 and qualify for a grand-final. Tip: Mooroopna.
