Grand final teams to clash
Harrow-balmoral will front up against Natimuk United in a Horsham District grand final rematch on Saturday, albeit with a significantly different line-up to the one it fielded in the final game of 2017.
Coach Amy Lewis and her charges have had mixed results as they attempt to gel new positions and personnel and will have their biggest test so far against the reigning premier.
The Southern Roos won their first two matches of 2018 convincingly and are coming off a five-goal loss to a strengthened Kalkee outfit in what would have been a ripper clash for spectators.
The game was neck and neck, with Harrow-balmoral holding a slight lead at the first two changes before Kalkee created a three-goal buffer in the third term.
The Southern Roos battled to regain their ascendancy but to no avail as the Kees ran away with the win.
Megan Russell was again a standout for Harrow-balmoral after switching back to goal defence and Alice Houlihan was strong in the midcourt.
Russell will be a key figure in the clash against the Ewes, who have tall goalie Shannon Couch making life difficult for defenders under the post.
The Roos might use Russell to mit- igate Couch’s influence but will miss her drive down the court.
Both midcourts play smart, safe netball and should enjoy a relatively even match-up, while Lewis and fellow goalie Sara Mccuish will enjoy a fantastic battle with Natimuk United defenders Jo Taylor and the in-form Casey Vanstan.
The Ewes defeated Edenhopeapsley at the weekend, with defender Cynthia Watt earning best-on-court honours for her efforts on Couch.
The Saints will provide Swifts with their first taste of a top-six side on Saturday when they meet at Stawell’s North Park.
Swifts, currently third, are enjoying a fantastic start to the season and there will be plenty of interest in how they go against a stronger side.
Swifts goalies Michaela Armer and Jade Ralph have been in good form and will look to get away to a strong start, assisted by consistent centre and coach Courtney Morrow. It will definitely be their biggest challenge to date and it will be an interesting clash.
Edenhope-apsley has had a consistent season so far thanks to a more settled line-up and will look to get back to the winners list.
Intensity
Pimpinio maintained good intensity against Noradjuha-quantong early last week but was unable to maintain it.
The Tigers were well served at both ends of the court by Grace Wooster and Marnie Lehmann.
They now have another tough task at hand, taking on second-placed Laharum.
Laharum ran over the top of Jeparit-rainbow in round three and should also win this week’s match comfortably.
The Tigers will benefit from height at both ends but will struggle against the Demons’ quick midcourt.
Lehmann should enjoy the challenge of playing on some talented goalies.
Goal attack Lucy Brand and goal defence Brooke Pay helped the Bombers to a win over the Tigers, with young gun Abbie Bell performing well in her first A Grade game, shooting 24 goals. Team-mate Yolly Molineaux will have the job of keeping Blair Burke quiet when the Bombers host Rupanyup. Burke slotted 41 goals in a best-on-court showing against Swifts and will be pivotal to her team’s chances again this week against the more-fancied Bombers.
In the final match of the round, Kalkee will look to continue on its winning way against Taylors Lake, which will be fresh from a bye. Round-three results: Laharum d Jeparit-rainbow 59-27, Noradjuhaquantong d Pimpinio 59-37, Swifts d Rupanyup 56-48, Natimuk United d Edenhope-apsley 44-25, Kalkee d Harrow-balmoral 46-41.