NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
Cowwarr will get their 2018 season underway in the North Gippsland league’s A grade competition this weekend when they host Gormandale at Traralgon Recreation Reserve from 3.45pm.
Neither team featured in the post-season last year and finished in eighth and ninth, respectively.
Cowwarr best and fairest Keely Bourke will be looked upon to lead the Saints in their quest for a finals spot this year.
Sarah Greenwood is a fresh face at the Saints and can fill key roles in the midcourt or in defence while Melissa Henderson will graduate to the top squad from the club’s B grade side.
For Gormandale, Lily Bosse returns to the club after playing at Newborough and will be a pillar in the Tigers’ midcourt.
Kristy Smith will also debut for Gormandale this season and comes into the A grade side from Yallourn Yallourn North and offers plenty of pace to accompany Bosse in the centre.
When the sides last met in round 10, eight goals separated them at the final siren and Cowwarr emerged victorious.
Sale City v Heyfield
Reigning A grade champions Sale City will hit the court for the first time in their campaign for back-to-back premierships on Saturday at Stephenson’s Park from 2.15pm.
The Bulldogs line up boasts depth and will be bolstered by the addition of Tori Wilson who will join Sarah Gardiner in the goal circle.
Young Bulldog Faith Biddle is one to watch and enjoyed a breakout season in the club’s A-grade premiership side last year and won the best and fairest award aged just 17.
Heyfield are hell-bent on redemption in 2018 after finishing on top of the table only to be bundled out in straight sets in the post-season.
The Kangaroos are a changed side from the one that fell to Woodside in the preliminary final by four goals with the departure of league best and fairest Caitlin Ponton and club best and fairest Mel Johnston a big blow.
Sale City will head into this weekend’s season opener with confidence on their side after disposing of Heyfield in the semi-final by four goals on their run home to win the flag.
Glengarry v Traralgon Tyers United
A largely unchanged Glengarry outfit will host Traralgon Tyers United this weekend to round out the split-round action on Saturday from 2.15pm.
The Magpies finished in fourth spot on the A grade ladder last year but fell victim to Woodside in the semi final.
TTU endured a season to forget and claimed the wooden spoon with just two wins for the season proper.
The sides last faced off in round 15 and Glengarry was too strong for the Magpies and walked away with a seven-goal win.
