Shepp United v Seymour
Shepp United is about to start the most challenging period of its 2025 season, and there are just three rounds remaining. The Demons are sitting inside the top six, for the moment, but in the final three weeks (which start this weekend) they face three of the top four teams – Seymour, Mooroopna and Euroa. They sit equal on points with 7th-ranked Shepp Swans and 8th-placed Echuca. The major challengers to the Demons playing finals are the Swans. They should win at least one of their games, facing off against Euroa next weekend (2nd on the ladder) and Kyabram (11th) in the final round. Echuca should also win one of its final two games, also facing the Bombers and with a Round 17 game against Mooroopna. United has been highly competitive this season, but the Lions are coming off a 15-goal win against Euroa in Round 15 and have one of the most experienced line-ups in the competition. Grace McInneny’s defensive match-up with Elle Fuhrmeister will be a highlight, while at the opposite end it will be Ruby Martin against Hannah Onley. In the mid-court, Montanna Burke and Shinea Sali will be pitted against Casey Adamson and Rosie O’Sullivan in another mouth-watering proposition for GVL netball fans.
Prediction: Seymour to take the win by 8 goals.
Mansfield v Kyabram
Both teams have just two wins for the season, so there will be plenty on the line in regard to finishing the season with some momentum going into 2026. The Bombers managed just 30 goals in their last outing (against United), with just five goals in the opening quarter as a result of making the decision to put experienced goaler Tam Skinner in defence with captain Jemma Hall. Young star Ava Pell has been spending more time in the mid-court with the Bombers and will be important in limiting the work of Lexie Joyce, Sophie Bray and Jessica Dolling. Joyce has played the last three games, including the Eagles’ impressive 15-goal win against Rochester. Emily Hutchins and Amelia Charlton kept the Tigerettes’ goalers to just 30 for the game. Alexandra Ball and Amy Dixon-Reilly have a great understanding in goals, which I think will be enough for them to get across the line on their home court.
Prediction: Mansfield to take the win by 6 goals.
Benalla v Tatura
Tatura will be looking to hone its game against bottom team Benalla this weekend, having one eye firmly fixed on the Round 17 game with 3rd-ranked Seymour. Seymour and Tatura played the game of the season in Round 6 – the only drawn match of the season. In that game, Seymour came from six goals down at ¾ time to draw the contest. Benalla has been okay in offence. In fact, their combination of Bridget Hill and Nikita Hanson has been chiefly responsible for having the Saints sitting just behind Kyabram and Mansfield’s goals tally. A fortnight ago, they shot 43 goals in a five-goal loss to Kyabram. They have, however, struggled defensively – giving up 72 goals against 8th-ranked Echuca in Round 15 and having four other 70-goal-plus scores registered by opposition clubs. Tatura, despite sitting 4th on the ladder, has the best defensive unit in the competition. Ella Kightly, Molly Boyle and Jasmine Fraser have combined to allow the Bulldogs to be the only team with less than 600 goals scored against it this season (580 in fact, with the next best being Seymour’s 641). At the other end, however, the Tatura offence is ranked eighth and is the only attack in the top six to have scored less than 700 goals in 15 games.
Prediction: Tatura to take the win by 28 goals.
