District battle for supremacy

Horsham District Football Netball League’s two undefeated A Grade sides will battle for supremacy in a mouthwatering clash at Balmoral on Saturday.

Ladder leader and reigning premier Harrow-balmoral will aim to keep its top-dog status against a Laharum outfit determined to go all the way this season.

The Southern Roos are coming off a 10-goal win over sixth-placed Noradjuha-quantong while the Demons enjoyed a 24-goal victory against an undermanned Edenhope-apsley.

Accurate Laharum goalie Caitlin Story can provide headaches for any opponent but she’ll need to be on her game against the league’s premier defender, Ebonie Salter.

Salter was judged best on court in the victory over the Bombers, with team-mate Sarah Cleaver also earning accolades. The height of Demons newcomer Rebecca Mcintyre is an advantage in the ring and she has been a solid contributor, but it will be interesting to see how she fares against her strongest defensive competition to date.

Up the other end, Laharum’s Ema Iredell will need to curb the efforts of speedy goal attack Cleaver, while shooter Sara Mccuish will need to maintain her composure under pressure from Erin Mellington.

Mellington and Story were among the Demons’ best players in their triumph over the Saints and will look to lead the way again on Saturday.

This should be a great match for spectators and could easily go down to the wire.

Edenhope-apsley will look to bounce back against Taylors Lake, which is coming off a 24-goal loss to Kalkee.

Shooter Rebecca Carter and midcourter Rachael Elmslie stood out for the Saints last week while Lakers Sammy Apostolopoulos and Emma Powell worked hard under pressure from the Kees.

The Lakers are relatively strong defensively but are still developing their attacking end and will struggle against the higher-ranked Saints.

Strong opposition

Kalkee is playing some good netball at the moment and would be thrilled to claim its second win of the season but will be brought back down to earth this week when it takes on Natimuk United.

Kees midcourter Emily Hannan and goalie Jaymi O’connor are in solid form but will come up against taller, stronger opponents.

Ewe Amy Pilgrim enjoyed a 37-goal haul against Pimpinio and will make life difficult for Kalkee’s defenders, while team-mate Caitlyn Batson will again do her best to prevent the Kees’ goalies from scoring. The teams should enjoy a good battle of speed through the midcourt, but Natimuk United will ultimately prevail.

Pimpinio, which had Jenelle Baker and Marnie Lehmann among its standouts last week, has another tough game on its hands on Saturday.

The Tigers will encounter Southern Mallee Giants at Hopetoun.

Goal attack Annabel Stewart led the way in the Giants’ 39-goal win over Swifts, nailing an impressive 46 goals, with defender Caitlin Hickey also a standout.

The Giants, fourth on the ladder, will overcome the seventh-placed Tigers – but not without resistance.

Swifts will look to claim their third victory of the season when they meet winless Jeparit-rainbow.

Defender Tara-sky Long and goalie Jade Cleary again impressed against Rupanyup last week and will look to lead the Stawell outfit to another triumph.

Rupanyup has Sarah Weidemann and Jenni Downer performing well in attack but they will have to lift another notch this week against Noradjuhaquantong.

Bombers midcourter Georgia Francis and defender Carly Creek impressed against the Roos last week and will continue to work hard against the lower-ranked Panthers.

Noradjuha-quantong has an easier draw over the next few weeks after playing the competition’s five top teams and will look to boost its percentage, with three teams currently sitting on 12 points. Round-six results: Southern Mallee Giants d Swifts 71-32, Harrow-balmoral d Noradjuha-quantong 33-23, Laharum d Edenhope-apsley 48-24, Kalkee d Taylors Lake 46-22, Rupanyup d Jeparit-rainbow 52-44, Natimuk United d Pimpinio 55-32.