Tight tussles continue
If it takes two to tango and you think three’s a crowd, imagine how the final party of five in Wimmera Netball Association will feel before they battle it out to play off on grand-final day in September.
Horsham Saints edged out Ararat by six goals in a close encounter at home. Minyip-murtoa imposed the first loss of the season on Horsham Demons, clinching a narrow two-goal win. Just four goals separated Dimboola and Nhill at the final whistle in the battle of the Hindmarsh teams. And it was Warrack Eagles who were too fancy for the young Stawell Warriors.
When the Warrack Eagles hit Horsham City Oval on Saturday, they’d want to be ready to play.
The Eagles are all class down the back – they have ever-reliable Penny Fisher and workhorse Jenna Schulz disrupting play under the post, and will be certain to closely mark hot-shot Demon Emma Buwalda.
In the middle for the Eagles, the Emma Koschitzke and Petah Winsall combination has started to settle, doing loads of work as they press forward into attack. Their important battle with fast-running Demons duo Paige Lloyd and Abbie Avery will not go unnoticed.
Experienced Demon Mel Scott will get the job on Eagles shooter Megan Werner in what is sure to be an interesting contest.
Versatility
As Dimboola Roos look to tackle the might of Minyip-murtoa Burras this weekend, there will be one thing on their mind – a top-three finish. But to beat the Burras, who put out a stern message last week that versatility will win games, the Roos must commit to their own game plan.
It might be the coach who moves the players like pieces on a chessboard, to create different match-ups and keep the opposition guessing. But it’s the players who must do the work on court.
Burras goaling machine Kirby Knight continues her dominance under the post and Roo Carly Werner will most likely get the job on her.
If the Roos can limit the ball supply going into the attack, they could be one step closer to their desired top-three finish.
But if the Burras run away with it, there’s going to be an interesting battle at the top of the table in the last round.
Stawell Warriors will be searching for their first win of the season. Horsham Saints should not take them lightly. Everyone loves an underdog, especially in sport.
There’s plenty to like about what the future holds for the Warriors, but there’s no reason they can’t take a scalp in the next few weeks. There’s also plenty of netball knowledge in the courtside Stawell brains trust with the likes of Jemma Clarkson for the younger players who are eager to learn.
If the young Warriors want some inspiration, look to the Saints. The Saints were just as inexperienced a few years ago.
The Saints must take this battle by the horns. If they want to play finals they need a couple more wins to ensure they are safely there. Saints co-coach Jess Cannane will ensure her troops mean business, and with the likes of Tara Jasper and Maggie Caris under the post, will be ready to play.
In another expected close one, Nhill travels to Ararat, where there is plenty on the line. Round-13 results: Horsham Saints d Ararat 45-40, Minyip-murtoa d Horsham 43-41, Dimboola d Nhill 46-42, Warrack Eagles d Stawell 64-19.