Kate Withers
NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
Moe A grade coach Peter Moody said the Lions were “primed for this weekend” against Leongatha after a much-needed break for the split round 13.
“We had a really good training session during the break and worked on a couple of things we needed to tidy up like centre passes and throw-ins,” Moody said.
The young Lions have surprised most except themselves so far this season and sit comfortably in third spot with nine wins for the season.
Their last hit out before the split round was an impressive one and they made off with the points against Bairnsdale in “horrendous conditions”.
“It was actually a really good win. The wind was blowing about 50 kilometres across the court with a bit of rain thrown in there so it was like an ice skating rink,” Moody said.
“Full credit to Bairnsdale, they had a real crack at us and forced us to work really hard.”
Moody flagged the Gippsland league A grade competition as “really tough” and said “there are no certainties any week”.
“If you’re weakened at all you’re vulnerable to getting knocked off so we were pleased to get away with the win,” he said.
“We’re quite confident but the girls are really enjoying the fact there’s no easy games.”
Moe have a tough run home to finals with Traralgon and Morwell to come in the final four rounds.
Moody said the Lions were looking forward to this weekend’s game against Leongatha as another worthy test.
“They’ve got some good players in their midcourt, like Nicola Marriott … she gave us a bit of grief last time and she’s one of the best players in the competition,” he said.
“We haven’t spoken about finals and at the moment I’m quite keen to keep them focussed on what we’ve got to do each week.”
Leongatha fell by eight goals in their round 13 encounter with Maffra and sit in eighth spot on the Gippsland league A grade ladder, three off the pace of Warragul in sixth.
Traralgon v Warragul
Traralgon are poised for a tilt at back-to-back flags and are poised in second spot on the ladder – matched on wins with Moe but three games off the pace of ladder leaders Morwell.
The Maroons have been plagued by injury this season and have played most games with the absence of several 2017 premiership players.
Maddie Stockdale and Stacey O’Brien made returns to the side at the mid-way mark of the season.
Kate French made her comeback from a hamstring injury in round 13 as did Ramayer Gourley who was given a run for the first time since suffering osteitis pubis.
Lily Van Berkel missed the split round fixture with an ankle injury while Rebecca Jennings missed through travel.
“Bec will play this weekend and Lily will start training but we’re in no rush to get her back and we’d rather have her for finals,” Ponton said.
Traralgon have the toughest run home of any team in the A grade competition with Drouin, Moe and Morwell all still to come.
“We’re aiming for top two. We just want the second chance and fingers crossed we’ll finish top three.”
Warragul secured an upset win over 2017 grand finalist Drouin in round 13 by four goals and sit just outside the top five on percentage.
A win this weekend against Traralgon could lift them into fifth spot.
Morwell v Maffra
Ladder leaders Morwell will look to consolidate their spot atop the Gippsland league A grade competition this weekend when they take on Maffra.
The Tigers are in first spot with 12 wins for the season, three clear of Traralgon and Moe in second and third respectively.
Morwell overcame Sale in the first half of the split round by 16 goals while Maffra fended off Leongatha by eight goals.
Wonthaggi v Bairnsdale
Wonthaggi will look to return to the winner’s list this weekend when they host Bairnsdale in round 14 action.
Bairnsdale sit in seventh spot on the Gippsland league A grade ladder with four wins and Wonthaggi are lagging in ninth with just two wins for the season.
Wonthaggi were outdone by defending premiers Traralgon to the tune of 23 goals in their last run while Bairnsdale went goal-for-goal with Moe but lost by five at the final whistle.
Drouin v Sale
Last year’s grand finalists Drouin were upset by Warragul in round 13 and will be hell bent on atoning for that loss this weekend against Sale.
Drouin are in fourth spot with eight wins to date, one shy of Moe and Traralgon in fourth and third respectively.
Sale are enduring a season to forget with just two wins on the board and will be hard-pressed to make the journey to Drouin a successful one this weekend.
