BENALLA V EUROA
Euroa will be out to consolidate its place in the top two on the ladder when it makes the short trip across to Benalla.
The Pies were able to keep their spot at the top end of the pile after seeing off the in-form Shepparton Bears in the split round.
Shooter Mia Sudomirski (43 goals) continued her stellar season to date, which no doubt will have her in contention to win the Wellman Family A grade league best and fairest.
She will be hoping to continue that form and hopes to get support from fellow shooter Bree Poole.
Tylah Marchbank and Eliza Hoare were others to shine in the win over the Bears and they will be keen to feed the shooters to ensure they bank another four points.
Alexandra Davies, Kate Symes and Olivia Dalton were the Saints best last round in their loss to Kyabram.
They will look to continue that form and hope their team-mates can follow their lead.
But in the final wash-up, I think it will be Euroa in front at the final whistle.
Tip: Euroa.
SHEPPARTON V MOOROOPNA
This is a big game in the context of the season and final standings on the ladder.
The Cats sit at the top of the tree with a 10-2 record, but coach Di Hanslow is the first to recognise that this is a marathon and not a sprint.
She is still looking for improvement from her team.
Defenders, Caitlin McLachlan and Maddison Wong will have a big task of their hands to try and restrict the influence of Ella Sidebottom and tall shooter Jane Cook if she plays. Cook has been outstanding in the games she has played with the Bears, but she missed the loss to Euroa last round.
Bree Robinson and Ash Cann were good contributors in the last round defeat to the Pies and they will be important if the Bears want to bank another four points to take a step closer to a top six finish.
Asha Gray through the mid-court coupled with attacking duo of Ash Lancaster and Ella Ogier will need to put the score on the board when given their opportunities.
If Cook plays for the Bears, I think they can cause an upset, but if she doesn’t then the Cats should take the win.
Tip: Shepparton if Jane Cook plays. If she doesn’t then the Cats to win.
KYABRAM V ROCHESTER
Rochester needs to keep winning to remain an outside chance of playing finals in 2023.
That said, though its destiny will be out of its hands as it will need to rely on others to help them out to tip sixth placed Shepparton out of the top six.
For now, the Tigers will look to build on their good win over the Shepparton Swans when it makes the short trip to Kyabram.
Shooters Teal Hocking and Morgan Dingwall were outstanding in the win, sharing in 57 goals.
If they can continue that form coupled with Ella Roulston continuing her growth as a player, then the Tigers will make it difficult for the Bombers.
Sarah Carr and Alyssa Trebilcock were solid in the attacking third in the team’s second win of the season last round.
Hollie Reid and Steph Higgins played some good netball for the Bombers and will be hoping to continue that form to feed the shooters to try and make it three wins on the bounce.
Tip: Rochester.
MANSFIELD V SEYMOUR
Mansfield faces a massive challenge to try and register its first win of 2023 when it takes on the reigning premier.
The reigning premier is building into the season and is still trying to find its best version while the Eagles have shown glimpses of what they are capable of in 2023
Their best game came against the Cats a few weeks ago, but they haven’t been to build on that to snare a win.
Nelle Cousins, Emily Hutchins and Alicia Foster will be trying to lead by example and continue their good form.
Seymour shooter Jess Lallo shot accurately for the Lions in their grand-final rematch win while Casey Adamson was strong through the mid-court.
Ellie Fuhrmeister (nee O’Sullivan) did well in goals as well while in defence Olivia Barry and Ruby Trimble were important.
If the Lions can get on top early and set the tone, then the Eagles could struggle to go with them for the full four quarters.
Tip: Seymour.
SHEPPARTON SWANS V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Shepparton United will be desperate to bounce back from its narrow loss to Seymour and at the same time keep alive slim finals aspirations.
The Demons were really competitive against the reigning premier, especially with four players in the squad that are under 21.
Two of those rising stars – Diaz Barzen and Karis Moore are really relishing the opportunity for court time in 2023.
Laura Cola, Olivia Kirby and Bess Schnioffsky were others to fly the flag in the loss to the Lions.
If they can continue their good form then the Demons will fancy getting over its cross-town rival.
The Swans were really competitive in their narrow loss to Rochester last round.
Skipper and shooter Chelsea McDonald was outstanding as was Hannah Garner and Sarah Down.
This will be a game of whoever takes their opportunities and can handle the pressure.
I am liking the recent form of the Demons, so I think they can get up in a really close tussle.
Tip: Shepparton United.
TATURA V ECHUCA
Tatura will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat to a contender when it takes on the in-form Echuca.
The Murray Bombers have been in some really good form in the past month, claiming the big scalps of Mooroopna, Seymour and Euroa to be sitting on 30 points.
They know this will be another game that will challenge them, but they will back themselves to take down the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will look to their shooters Steph Gorrie-Smith and Julia Clark to have good games and get on top of the Echuca defenders.
Mid-courter Elsie Boyer will be important as will defender Molly Kennedy, Ash Quinn and the versatile Tayler Rohkar.
Ash Mangan has been a star in defence for the Murray Bombers in 2023.
Former coach Step Vick is doing her thing through the mid-court and Raina Fimmel has been important in the attacking third to ensure goalers Sheridan Townrow and coach Belinda Lees can do their thing in getting the score on the board.
This is going to be tight and if Tatura can string together four consistent quarters and avoid any lapses, then they can avoid a third straight defeat.
Tip: Tatura.
