Round to establish pacesetters
Leading teams in Wimmera Netball Association’s A Grade competition are likely to start emerging after round-three games this weekend.
Games set to attract particular interest involve last year’s runner-up Minyip-murtoa taking on arch rivals Warrack Eagles at Minyip and Ararat set for a mighty clash against Dimboola in Ararat.
Warrack Eagles narrowly lead the competition in a log-jam at the top of the table after scoring a convincing 19-goal win against Nhill last week.
Emma Koschitzke ran out a strong game in the centre for the winners at Nhill’s Davis Park, taking on a variety of opponents and intercepting strongly in the warm conditions.
Jess Kelly was also good for the Eagles, particularly in goal defence where she applied plenty of pressure, and Meg Werner sparkled again under the attacking ring.
The results augur well for the Eagles who meet a Minyip-murtoa side fresh from trouncing Southern Mallee Giants 54-26.
Lateesha Gascoyne and Georgia Mclennan were the standout players for the Burras, who are also unbeaten with two victories.
The Eagles’ Sarah Spicer identified a need for her team’s defence to play well to curb Minyip-murtoa’s quality goaling combinations.
Ararat is another unbeaten outfit and after a 51-34 win over Horsham Saints would feel cherry-ripe to meet the so-far winless Roos at Alexander Oval reserve.
Defender Krystal Fisher and goalie Tayla Borrelli won best-player accolades for the Rats against the Saints.
Dimboola ran into a potent Horsham outfit last week and after an even tussle for much of the contest, ultimately came off second best, 43-67.
Defenders Louisa Vague and Abbey Greig worked hard to hold back the Demons and with fellow team-mates need to regroup to take on the Rats.
A clash between Stawell and Nhill at Central Park meanwhile, appears well and truly up for grabs, with the young Stawell team set to restart their season after a lengthy spell.
Nhill tried to stay in touch with the classy Eagles last week, versatile either-end player Brittany Jane Keller doing well and Gorgia Sealey involved in plenty of midcourt action.
But the Tigers went down 31-50 and need to rebound strongly to regain any lost confidence.
Southern Mallee Giants will venture to the courts at Horsham City Oval and immediately confront the ruthless efficiency of a no-nonsense Horsham side.
The Demons are hard to beat at the best of times, let alone at home, and have book-ends in Casey Jess and Emma Buwalda standing in the Giants’ way.
Defenders Courtney Williams and Maddelyne Foott were best for the Giants last week but will need all guns firing to have any chance of upsetting the Demons. Round-two results: Horsham d Dimboola 6743, Minyip-murtoa d Southern Mallee Giants 54-26, Warrack Eagles d Nhill 50-31, Ararat d Horsham Saints 51-34.