Saints making frontrunners nervous
Just as they have done for the past two seasons, Horsham Saints are making Wimmera Netball Association frontrunners nervous at the pointy end of the season.
The Saints have claimed the past two premierships from fifth place on the ladder after indifferent starts to the season.
They look to be making their move again in 2019 after starting with three losses from their first five games.
The Saints banked their third win on the trot by downing fellow finals-bound team Warrack Eagles 67-57 at Coughlin Park on Saturday.
Aiding the Saints’ quest for a third straight flag is the return of young gun Maggie Caris.
The towering teen connected on 44 of her 61 shots to help the Saints withstand a second half surge from the Eagles, forming a deadly tandem with Lavinia Fox in goals.
Elly Barnett was also impressive in a battle against Eagle goalie Molly Stewart.
Centre Sarah Spicer was best on court for the Eagles.
The Saints have now overtaken the Eagles for fourth place and sit only four points behind third-placed Ararat.
The Rats’ once-promising season is sputtering after four losses from their past five games, although they had the reprieve of a bye at the weekend.
They will now play Southern Mallee Giants, who overcame a spirited Nhill to win 62-47 at Davis Park.
The Giants were led by a stellar performance from goal defence Codie Robbins, who restricted Tiger Charlotte Foulds to 20 goals.
In the other goal ring Steph Thompson netted 41 shots for the Giants, nearly matching Nhill’s total on her own.
The Giants are well out of the finals race with four wins from their 13 games this season, but will provide a barometer for where Ararat is at.
Other matches at the weekend saw Horsham overcome Dimboola 65-36 behind strong defensive work from bookends Faith Mckenzie in defence and Emma Buwalda in attack.
Mckenzie hounded Roo goal shooter Nicole Polycarpou in the first half, prompting a position shuffle from Dimboola in the second half that saw Polycarpou moved to goal attack.
Roo goal defence Olivia Jorgensen and wing defence Meaghan Pohlner were the team’s best players.
Minyip-murtoa also had a strong win against Stawell, extending its unbeaten run to 12 straight games with a 71-33 clinic.
Kirby Knight compiled another 60-goal performance and Taylor Mentha patrolled the defensive goal ring to set up the win.
Jemma Clarkson at goal attack and Tarnee Orr in midcourt were the Warriors’ best.
Stawell will now face the in-form Saints at its Central Park home, while Horsham and Minyip-murtoa will play a heavyweight clash at City Oval.
If the Burras emerge unscathed from the match, they will be odds-on favourites to finish the season undefeated and will enter finals with the mantle of premiership favouritism.
Dimboola has a round 15 bye.