NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
This weekend’s clash between Maffra and Morwell is shaping as the match of the round in Gippsland League netball as third plays second in the A grade competition.
The Tigers sit in second place on the ladder and have the edge this weekend as one of only two sides to remain undefeated after round four, alongside defending premiers Traralgon.
Morwell christened the new courts at Morwell Recreation Reserve at the weekend with a big win over Sale in the A grade, 57-36, but netball coordinator Claire Allison said Maffra presented a new challenge this weekend.
“Maffra are a bit of an unknown to us … they’ve got a whole lot of new players coming up from juniors, so it’ll be interesting and we’re going in a bit blind,” Allison said.
An intriguing battle of the young guns is shaping up in the mid-court with Eagle Emma Allman and Tiger Chloe Radford set to go head-to-head in centre.
The Tigers will be bolstered by the return of gun goaler Daisy Hill who returns for her first game back since round one after representative duties in the VNL and Northern Territory.
“Daisy brings in a bit of height, which we lack, so it’ll be nice to have a tall goal shooter again,” Allison said.
Maffra were also resounding winners in round four and came away with a 21-goal win over Leongatha on the road.
Moe v Leongatha
Leongatha will face the toughest running challenge in the A grade competition this weekend when they travel to take on a young Moe outfit.
The Lions were narrow losers to Bairnsdale in round four and went down by three goals, while Leongatha were no match for Maffra and were outplayed, 52-31.
Leongatha coach Alisha Hemming was buoyed about her side’s chances against a young Moe side but admitted they would have their work cut out for them.
“We’ll have to keep up our work rate to match it with the younger ones in the Moe side and to make sure we utilise every centre every time we’ve got the ball,” Hemming said.
Hemming earmarked the experience of Nicola Marriott in centre as key ahead of the clash with Moe and listed Kasie Rump’s contribution in defence as “pivotal”.
“We’ve been able to interchange B into A grade and vice versa and we’re trying a few new things,” she said.
“Milly Ellen will play in attack this weekend and she’s only 17 coming up from B grade but she has shown she can hold her own.”
The Parrots will be without Lauren Redpath in defence who will miss due to university commitments.
Moe coach Peter Moody said he was excited by the inclusion of some key players for the Lions ahead of their clash with Leongatha.
“We’ve got a few players coming in and a wing attack/centre in Samantha Labros, who comes from a basketball background and has played representative netball,” Moody said.
“Also, the girls coming back … I’m really pleased with how they’ve been going, they’ve gelled together really well and I think we can challenge the top two or three teams once we play a few more games together.”
Bairnsdale v Wonthaggi
Wonthaggi will hit the road in search of their maiden win for season 2018 this weekend when they take on Bairnsdale on Saturday.
The Power are one of two sides yet to notch a win this season while Bairnsdale have just one tick against their name after doing away with Moe in round four by three goals.
Wonthaggi will be hurting after defending premier Traralgon dished out an absolute thumping in round four and ran over the top by 29 goals.
Warragul v Traralgon
Defending premier Traralgon look like continuing their march towards back-to-back flags in 2018 and will this week need to account for Warragul on the road.
The Maroons are one of two sides yet to drop a game alongside Morwell but have scored 50 goals more than the Tigers to tighten their stranglehold on top spot.
Traralgon’s winning margin stands at a stunning average of 35 goals for season 2018.
With a big out for this weekend’s clash with Warragul in Kate French, Traralgon coach Caitlan Ponton said covering the loss of French would be a test.
“[Kate] has strained her hamstring so that’s a big injury and we’ll have to rearrange the team a bit,” Ponton said.
“We’ll bring in a B grade to sit on bench … but we’ve got a pretty strong midcourt, Chelsea Livingstone will have a run and we’re confident she’ll be fine.”
Ponton said Warragul had “started really well” and earmarked Gull Renee Cook as one to watch ahead of Saturday’s game.
“[Renee Cook] is killing it at the moment so she’ll be our main focus … to cut off her drive down the mid court,” Ponton said.
Sale v Drouin
Sale will look to get their season 2018 off the mark this weekend when they play host to 2017 grand finalist Drouin on Saturday.
Sale are yet to get off the mark in season 2018 while Drouin have just dropped one game courtesy of Wonthaggi in round four.
