Roos looking for edge against Demons at home

Dimboola will hope a home-court advantage will provide the edge needed to upset an ominous Horsham team when Wimmera Netball Association action resumes this weekend.

Dimboola fell short of the mark against last year’s runner-up Minyip-murtoa last week while the Demons outgunned reigning premiers Horsham Saints, setting up a ripper clash at Dimboola reserve.

But the round-two action and intrigue doesn’t stop there.

Horsham Saints, stung by a 37-68 loss to the Demons, has to try to rebound against an Ararat side that has given all indications it is building up as a force this year.

Minyip-murtoa will try to chalk up a second win, against Southern Mallee Giants at Hopetoun, and Nhill makes its first foray into the season, taking on Warrack Eagles at Davis Park.

Last weekend, Minyip-murtoa’s match against Dimboola, in warm conditions at Murtoa, involved two teams out to prove a point.

Both teams moved the ball quickly and applied pressure, which meant any loose pass was turned over and quickly converted.

During the first quarter both teams lost centre passes and were quick to convert the next centre pass back. At the end of the first term scores were tied nine-all. The second quarter was also intense and laden with pressure and Dimboola coach Jodie Hayes contested every pass against quick Billie Bibby out of centre.

Minyip-murtoa’s Paula Weidermann and young gun Steph Miller contested hard in an even contest and Kirby Knight was in unfamiliar territory playing goal attack against ever-reliable Abbey Grieg.

Minyip-murtoa established a 22-19 lead by half time when Burras coach Clare Drum swung changes, bringing Lateesha Gascoyne on to wing defence, Laura Delahunty to centre and Ash Knight to wing attack. Georgia Mckinnon also replaced Maddi Morgan at goal shooter.

Dimboola leader Hayes left her team unchanged. Young Stephanie Glover had played a strong game in wing attack and helped put the game on an even keel halfway through the third term.

Hayes was keeping her high work rate up for the Roos in centre and Ant Toet worked hard in wing defence, with young Ash Knight giving her a run for her money.

An injury to the Burras led to changes, with Stefanie Cooper leaving the court and Gascoyne stepping into goal defence, Delahunty moving across to wing attack and Bibby shifting back into centre. The tempo of the game lifted and the Burras started to grab hold of the game, leading 37-28.

A settling Minyip-murtoa eventually won 54-41.

The following day at Horsham City Oval, Horsham beat Horsham Saints, again in warm conditions.

The Demons were off to a flying start, although the Saints worked their way back into the game in the first quarter.

Horsham made changes in attack and rotated players through the centre and managed to extend its lead.

Elley Heard and Victoria Taylor applied extensive pressure for the Demons, playing sterling games, and Emma Buwalda shone in goals and moved well throughout the day.

The Saints’ Shannon Reinheimer also played a great game until she injured her ankle. She came back into the game later in the contest.