Battle of minds
Psychological spoils will be up for grabs on Saturday as Wimmera Netball Association benchmark outfits use a final home-andaway round to sharpen their games.
And it will be a 2017 grand-final rematch at Murtoa that captures much of the attention, when Minyip-murtoa takes on reigning premier Horsham Saints.
The Saints, despite sitting fifth on the ladder, are showing plenty to suggest they are about to come home in the finals with a wet sail.
It was only in the second half against Warrack Eagles last week that they lost touch with their all-powerful opponents and went down swinging by nine goals.
Young goal-shooting talent Maggie Caris was again at the coalface with centre Ashlee Grace in the effort.
At the same time, Minyipmurtoa powered to a 71-35 win over Stawell, capitalising on a powerful start, with goalie Kirby Knight scoring free and well supported by Maddi Morgan.
The lead pushed out to 28 by half time when the Burras gave Laura Delahunty a rest and asked Ash Knight to step into wing defence.
Stawell adapted quickly to slippery conditions and the Warriors defence did well, with Dakota Cosson moving from goal shooter to goal keeper and Lisa Fleming moving from wing defence to goal defence.
Minyip-murtoa’s Billie Bibby left the court with the blood rule in the third term and under-17 player Bridget Drum settled into wing defence for her second game as Knight moved into the centre.
The Burras settled in the final quarter and finished the game strongly.
The overall and defensive pressure applied by the Burras, particularly in the goal circle by Paula Wiedermann and Stacey Arnold, will test the Saints this weekend.
In other games, a potent Horsham team will come off the pine to play the Warriors, while Southern Mallee Giants take on Nhill at Hopetoun and the Eagles front up for a testing battle with Dimboola.
The Eagles had Sarah Spicer and Megan Werner working hard against the Saints last week and meet a Dimboola side that will be determined to finish the season with an upset win.
The Roos were too good for the Giants last week, sparring with their opponents for a half before running away with the points.
Whatever happens on court this week, odds are that the Roos will narrowly miss the finals. Round-17 results: Ararat d Nhill 44-24, Minyip-murtoa d Stawell 71-35, Warrack Eagles d Horsham Saints 61-50, Dimboola d Southern Mallee Giants 60-48.