KYABRAM V SHEPPARTON
Kyabram is looking for its first win of the season when it welcomes a Shepparton outfit looking to rebound after its loss to Mooroopna in the wet last weekend.
The Bears won on the opening day of the season and coach Tracey Brereton would have enjoyed that, but she will be eager to improve the girls every week.
Ella Sidebottom and Jacinta Todd are two of the main stays of the team.
Brereton will be hoping she has a full list to select her starting 7 from, including gun VNL shooter Kim Borger to ensure they can challenge a Kyabram team that will be desperate for a win.
Last weekend, Sophie Harmer did an admirable job as shooter for the Bears.
Elivia Hall will be important through the mid-court for the home team as will Hollie Reid, Jasmine Reid, Jemma Hall and athletic shooter Jada Richardson.
If Kyabram can put together four consistent quarters, then it can challenge the visiting Bears for the win.
But if they don’t then the Bears will prove too strong for the Bombers.
Tip: Shepparton.
BENALLA V TATURA
Tatura will look to make three wins on the trot and remain undefeated when it makes the trip across to the Rose City.
The Saints are winless after coming up against Seymour and Euroa in the opening fortnight.
Bulldog coach Fiona Boyer will be reminding her players to not ease up and to play the game out from the first whistle.
Star recruit Jasmine Fraser was a standout in the big win over Mansfield last weekend.
Elise Boyer in the centre and the versatile Molly Boyle will be others that will be important to ensure the Bulldogs don’t drop their guard against a Saints’ team that will look to Olivia Dalton, Ella Sheehan and Kate Symes to try and steer them to victory.
Tip: Tatura.
ROCHESTER V ECHUCA
Campaspe Shire bragging rights go on the line this weekend.
Echuca and Rochester are locked at one win apiece.
Former coach and mid-courter Steph Vick coupled with experienced duo, Ash Mangan and Lauren Pryde and young defender Greta Pearson will be important for the Murray Bombers.
They were important in the Murray Bombers overcoming Kyabram after a first-up loss to Tatura.
Rochester was unable to go the distance with the reigning premier last weekend.
The Tigers were competitive for a half, but couldn’t sustain its game in the second half.
Shooter, Annie Hughes, defender Bridgett Holt and attacker Morgan Dingwall will be important if the Tigers are to get the points.
Tip: Echuca.
SHEPPARTON SWANS V MANSFIELD
The Shepparton Swans will be eager to get their season back on track after back-to-back defeats to start 2023.
They lost first up to Mooroopna and then again last weekend to Shepparton United.
Coach Courtney Simpson will be reminding her girls to not get ahead of themselves despite starting favourite to defeat the winless Mansfield.
Mansfield has only scored 51 goals and conceded 114 goals from its opening two losses.
The Swans will look to Klarindah Hudson, Hannah Garner and Sophie Garner to lead the way while the Eagles will look to its leaders in Bella Riley and Darcy Croxford-Demasi along with experienced duo Nelle Cousins and Em Hutchins to try and cause an upset.
Tip: Shepparton Swans.
SEYMOUR V EUROA
Two of the league’s early pacesetters and premiership contenders will find out where they sit in the pecking order around 4pm today.
The reigning premier will be a tough nut to crack as will last year’s finalist Euroa.
Casey Adamson was strong in defence last weekend, taking intercepts all over the court, while Rosie O’Sullivan was extremely valuable off the line.
She received most centre passes, as well as connecting through the midcourt, she proved to be a key component to the Lions win.
In the goal ring, Ella Tennant was a standout all match and the Lions will hope she can have another strong game.
For Euroa, Mia Sudomirski was best on, winning the Micky Reed Medal.
She was well supported by Kellie Davidson and Sophie Owen as the Magpies proved too strong for the Saints.
This will be a cracking contest and the team that makes the fewer errors and can capitalise when it has momentum will win the points.
Tip: Seymour.
SHEPPARTON UNITED V MOOROOPNA
Shepparton United scored a confidence boosting win ahead of a big challenge of taking on the well-drilled Mooroopna Cats.
The Cats are one of four teams who have won their opening two games.
After an opening round loss, the Demons stunned cross-town rivals the Shepparton Swans to win by eight goals last weekend.
Hayley Howard was outstanding in goals for United and she will again need to have a good game for the Demons to be a chance of an upset win.
Laura Cole through the mid-court and Olivia Kirby in the back third will also be important link-up players.
Madison Wong, Dayna Williams (27 goals) in her team’s 30-goal win last weekend over the Bears and the experienced Bree Hanslow will be important as Di Hanslow’s Cats look to remain undefeated.
I think the balance of the Cats in every third will prove the difference.
Tip: Mooroopna.
