BENALLA V MANSFIELD
Mansfield will fancy its chances of breaking its duck for 2023 when it makes the short trip across to Benalla.
The Eagles have been competitive this year without winning a game while Benalla has won only the one game in 2023.
Olivia Dalton, Mikaylah Lessing and Alex Davies were the shining lights for Benalla in its big loss to Seymour last round
Meg Mahoney, Nelle Cousins, Alicia Foster who celebrated her 100th game last weekend will be the players trying to lead the Eagles to a debut win in 2023.
Tip: Mansfield.
SHEPPARTON V KYABRAM
Shepparton will be looking to get its season back on course after suffering a surprise defeat to Rochester last round.
In a remarkable contest, the Bears scored 71 goals thanks to its shooting trio – Jane Cook, Ella Sidebottom and Kim Borger, but conceded 77 goals to the Tigers.
Coach Tracey Brereton will be working on trying to tighten up the team’s defensive game and she will turn to Ash Cann and Bree Robinson to try and lead the way.
Hollie Reid and Elivia Hall will be two of the girls trying to help the visitors finish its season on a positive note.
If they can continue their strong form, then they can be competitive against the Bears who should take the win to consolidate its place in the top six.
Tip: Shepparton.
EUROA V SEYMOUR
This should be a cracking game of netball and one that will give both coaches a really good guide as to where they sit in the premiership pecking order.
The Magpies sit at the top of the pile with 11 wins while the Lions sit in third place, but with the knowledge that there still could be plenty of movement with Echuca and Tatura hot on the heels of the top three and awaiting any slip-ups.
Euroa captain Kellie Davidson will be important through the midcourt for the Magpies, while Grace Warnock and Tylah Marchbank will be pivotal in the defensive third for the ladder leading Magpies.
Mia Sudomirski and Annabelle Gorman were outstanding for the Magpies in the attacking third in thr 29-goal win over Shepparton United.
Sudomirski has been a model of consistency and is one of the fancies for this year’s Wellman Medal crown.
Sarah Szczykulski, Ruby Trimble, Georgia Engel and Lucy Zotti will be important for the reigning premier to try and restrict the talented Euroa shooting duo for dropping enough goals to win the game.
Olivia Barry, Jess Lallo and Ellie Fuhrmeister will be hoping to capitalise on their opportunities to put pressure on the defence of the home team.
It is going to be a real arm wrestle and I am going for Euroa to turn the tables on its neighbouring rival.
Tip: Euroa.
MOOROOPNA V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Mooroopna will be looking to slam the door shut on the finals’ aspirations of last year’s runner-up when they do battle at Mooroopna.
The Cats are sitting in second place, but coach Di Hanslow is acutely aware that there is still plenty of work ahead for her team if they want to be premiers in 2023.
Caitlin McLachlan was outstanding for the Cats last round in their win over the Shepparton Swans where she was awarded the best on court medal in the Blue Ribbon Shield match.
She will be important along with Asha Gray, Maddison Wong and Ash Lancaster for the Cats.
Laura Cole was strong through the mid-court for the Demons in their loss to Euroa while defender Bess Schinoffsky never gave up despite the challenge of taking on the dynamic shooting duo of Euroa last round.
Amy Brooks and Georgia Walpole were others to play well for the Demons in their defeat to Euroa last round.
They will be important if the Demons are to take it up to the Cats.
Tip: Mooroopna.
SHEPPARTON SWANS V ECHUCA
Echuca is looming large in the race for this year’s premiership having put together a rich vein of form.
The Murray Bombers had another big win on the weekend to go with some of their statement wins over the likes of Tatura, Mooroopna and Seymour over the past couple of months.
Coach Belinda Lees would be really pleased with how the season is going for them and the fact that they haven’t peaked as yet.
The Swans are playing for pride, with their finals’ aspirations dashed after their defeat to premiership contender Mooroopna.
It will be very interesting to see how coach Courtney Simpson approaches the final few rounds.
She may look to expose some of the club’s promising youngsters to A-grade to get them ready for what it would be like in 2024.
That said, Echuca will be too good for the Swans.
Tip: Echuca.
TATURA V ROCHESTER
Tatura faces a danger game as it looks to continue its charge towards qualifying for the finals.
The Bulldogs will face a desperate Rochester team, knowing that it will fight tooth and nail to get the win, with the knowledge that a defeat could end its slim finals hopes.
Teal Hocking starred in the team’s confidence boosting win over the Bears last weekend.
The Tigers closed the gap to four points on the Bears and they know that can’t afford to make too many mistakes in the run home.
Tatura coach Fiona Boyer will be warning her players against complacency after it was able to return to the winners’ list last round against Mansfield.
She knows this will be a tougher challenge and only a four-quarter effort will be good enough to get the win over the visitors.
Tip: Tatura.
