BENALLA V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Benalla will be looking to chalk up two wins on the bounce when it welcomes last year’s runner up to the Rose City.
The Saints will go into the match-up with the Demons full of confidence after breaking through for their first win last weekend.
They were able to sneak past Mansfield in a one-goal thriller.
Mikaylah Lessing, Jennifer Ball and Alexander Davies were the shining lights for the Saints.
If they can continue their form and quell the influence of United young gun Olivia Kirby, mid-courters Amy Brooks and Bess Schinoffsky and shooter Georgia Walpole, then they will be every chance to inflict more pain on the re-building Demons.
Tip: Shepparton United.
KYABRAM V MOOROOPNA
Mooroopna will begin life without talented young shooter Dayna Williams after she hurt her knee in the win over reigning premier Seymour last weekend.
Williams has made a sensational start to the year, with her goals helping the Cats to equal top of the ladder in a so far undefeated season.
Teenager Sienna Burke was thrown into the goals along with midcourter Jazmin Clark by coach Di Hanslow when Williams was forced off with her knee injury.
Both acquitted themselves really well, scoring 23 goals between them in the second half.
Defensive duo Maddi Wong and Caitlin McLachlan led the way with their pressure in the defensive ring, while Asha Gray provided strong defensive efforts through the mid-court.
The Cats have plenty of depth and the loss of Williams will certainly test them but they should be able to combat a team that will look to Hollie Reid and Elivia Hall to lead the way for the home team.
Tip: Mooroopna.
SEYMOUR V MANSFIELD
Seymour premiership coach Ellie O’Sullivan will be in doubt after picking up an injury in the loss to the Cats last weekend.
If she doesn’t get up for the game, others within the team will need to pick up the pieces.
She will turn to her sister Rosie through the mid-court, Casey Adamson and Ella Tennant to drive the team and how far it does go with its title defence.
Meg Mahoney in the attacking third, Darcy Croxford-Demasi through the mid-court and Nelle Cousins in the defensive third will be the Eagle netballers who will be trying to lead the visitors to a first win for 2023.
I think the Lions will have too much firepower in its attacking third to let this game slip.
Tip: Seymour.
SWANS V EUROA
This should be a fantastic game of netball.
Both teams have aspirations to play finals in 2023.
After back-to-back losses to start the season, Swans coach Courtney Simpson would be thrilled with how her team have bounced back in the past fortnight.
The six-goal win against last year’s finalist Echuca was set-up by the strong performances of Sophie Garner and shooter Chelsea McDonald.
This is another challenge for the Swans against a team that is up and about after three wins. Euroa has scored the most of goals of any team in 2023.
Grace Warnock celebrated her 100th game with a win last weekend.
She will be hoping to continue her good form along with Olivia Morris, Mia Sudomirski and Eliza Hoare.
If the Swans can defend strongly which has been a feature in the opening month, then they will feel it can defeat the visitors.
Tip: Euroa.
ROCHESTER V TATURA
Rochester will face another stern challenge when it takes on the undefeated and equal top of the ladder Tatura.
Coach Linda Rasmussen and her girls will not fear the visitors after going to Deakin Reserve and toppling Shepparton in a thriller.
Rasmussen knows for her team to be a show it will need to put together four consistent quarters. Last weekend it won two of the four quarters in the 54-53 win.
Steph Smith-Gorrie continued her strong start to the year and Molly Boyle’s stellar performances in defence continued for the Bulldogs as they were able to get past Kyabram by 15 goals.
If the visitors can control the tempo of the game and put the home team to the sword, then they should be able to make it five wins on the trot and remain at the top of the ladder.
Tip: Tatura.
SHEPPARTON V ECHUCA
These two teams remain an interesting watch.
At the start of the season, both were expected to figure in the top six.
I know it is only round four and there is no need to panic.
Both have only won the two games and have really struggled for consistency.
Shepparton has gone W, L, W and L while has gone L, W, W and L.
Both teams are far from their best and the Bears will look to Ella Sidebottom, Ash Cann and Jacinta Todd to try and steer the season back on track and put them ahead of the win-loss ledger
Echuca will look to the experience of Lauren Pryde, Stephanie Vick and Ash Mangan to try and get to 3-2.
I reckon this is a flip of the coin and I am going to go with the Bears but not with a lot of confidence.
Tip: Shepparton.
