NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
Bairnsdale will look for just its second win of the year this weekend when it hosts Morwell at City Oval in round 15 action.
The Redlegs were outdone by Moe to the tune of 35 goals in round 14 while Morwell was too good for Leongatha and finished with a 13-goal victory.
Bairnsdale trails the competition in 10th position on the Gippsland League ladder with just a single win for season 2017 while Morwell are in ninth with 11 wins.
Last time the sides met in round six, Morwell was indomitable at home and crushed the Redlegs by 36 goals.
Bairnsdale coach Katelyn Wheeler said the Redlegs would be eager to notch their second win of the season.
“We have little goals that we’re working towards and one of those is to shut down the opposition attack and let our attackers do the work,” Wheeler said.
“We were disappointed with our start against Moe last week but our second half was a lot better so we’ll be looking to start well again this week.
“Morwell is a very quick side so if we let them then they will pounce.”
Drouin v Leongatha
Drouin will need to score a big scalp against Leongatha on the road this weekend if it is to firm for 2017 finals.
The Hawks are sitting pretty in second position on the table with 11 wins for the season while Leongatha are four games behind in fifth.
Drouin lost a tight one to Traralgon before the bye, falling by three goals. Leongatha suffered a similar fate and lost to Morwell by 13 goals.
Drouin travelled exceptionally well when it faced Leongatha in round six, dominating across the court to record a 23-goal win.
Maffra v Traralgon
Maffra will be faced with the toughest task of round 15 in the Gippsland league when it hosts an undefeated Traralgon outfit.
The Eagles were too strong for the Power on the road before last weekend’s bye, toppling Wonthaggi by five goals.
The Maroons had a close encounter of their own, fighting off Drouin to win by three goals.
Last time Maffra and Traralgon faced off in round six, Traralgon was too big a task for Maffra, running out 22-goal winners.
Maffra sits in seventh spot on the ladder with five wins.
Traralgon has proven indomitable so far in 2017 and is yet to drop a game.
Maroons coach Kate French said she expected a competitive performance from Maffra.
“Last time we played them they were really strong at the contest and their defensive pressure was good too,” French said.
“They kept us to a relatively low score compared to other teams so we’ll be watching out for that.
“We’ll be looking at making very quick transitions to get the ball into our goalers and hopefully put up defensive pressure across the court.”
Warragul v Wonthaggi
Warragul has a chance to move inside the top five when it hosts Wonthaggi at Western Park on Saturday.
The Gulls were valiant in their round 14 loss to Sale, showing plenty before being upset by nine goals.
Wonthaggi hosted Maffra and was competitive until the Eagles turned on the afterburners to win by five goals.
When the sides last met in round six it was a goal-for-goal game until Wonthaggi edged out to emerge five-goal victors.
Warragul is just a game outside the top five with six wins, while Wonthaggi sits in eighth with three wins for the season.
Sale v Moe
Moe will travel to Sale to take on the Magpies in round 15 action this weekend.
Sale was too strong for Warragul when it travelled to Palmerston Street before the bye, winning by nine goals.
Moe was formidable in its 35-goal victory over Bairnsdale in round 14.
Moe played host to Sale in round six and put in an impressive all-court effort to win by 17 goals.
Sale has notched just two wins for the year and sits in ninth spot on the Gippsland league ladder while Moe is in fourth with seven wins.
Moe coach Vicki Van Der Gelderen said her Lions were cautious of an improved Sale outfit.
“Sale has definitely improved over the season and they’ve had some really quality fill-ins so we’re expecting a good side this weekend,” Van Der Gelderen said.
After a somewhat “unsettled” season so far, she said the Lions would look to cement their playing roster ahead of finals.
“We’re just trying to get our game plan and positions in place and settle down for finals,” Van Der Gelderen said.
“We’ve been happy with our performances so far so we want to continue with that.”
