NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
Ten points separate first and second on the North Gippsland A grade ladder after eight rounds with Rosedale clear contenders for this year’s premiership as Cowwarr and Churchill sit second and third, respectively.
Churchill hosts Traralgon Tyers United this weekend in a third-versus-sixth clash while Rosedale will host Sale City in a first versus fifth clash which could help the Bulldogs climb up the ladder.
Bombers coach Jennifer Duncan said she was feeling positive ahead of the round nine clash against the Cougars and Churchill despite a six-goal loss to Heyfield in round eight.
“Churchill have a strong team across the court and we will need to play out four quarters of netball,” Duncan said.
“So far this season our team’s commitment, strive to improve and do better, willingness to fight back and communication have played key roles [but there’s] always room for improvement.”
TTU head into the game with a full side and no injuries as Duncan acknowledged a big first-half scoreboard effort as an essential to get the leg up on Churchill.
The Cougars also head into the game after a loss and will be keen on redemption after losing by seven goals to Cowwarr in round eight.
Rosedale v Sale City
Rosedale remain finals favourites in the North Gippsland A grade competition after defeating Glengarry by 17 goals at the weekend.
The Blues are the only undefeated team in the competition, but Sale City are keen to change that as the Bulldogs head up the highway to take on Rosedale.
Sale City coach Jae Schuback said it was important for her team to emphasise a strong and consistent voice across the court in order to register a win.
“We’re excited, Rosedale are top of the ladder so we’re excited to see where we will match up again them,” Schuback said after her side claimed a six-goal win against Gormandale on Saturday.
“We’ve had a few ups and downs this season with players missing a few games so we haven’t really had a full side this season.
“Our focus is playing as a team and backing each other up, we’re a pretty different team from last year so we’ve been focusing on our structures and getting used to each other.”
The Blues have welcomed Macey Gardener from the under 17s who has played a key role in the midcourt and “brought a new dynamic into the team”.
“Tori Wilson is also a new edition to the side, new to the club that is, and she’s brought in a lot of determination in our attack end,” Schuback said.
Gormandale v Woodside
The troops at Tiger land will be keen to hit the court hard this week after Gormandale lost their seventh game for the season to Sale City at the weekend, 49-43.
Gormandale sit last on the North Gippsland ladder while their round nine opponent, Woodside, sits seventh and head into the game full of enthusiasm after a 10-goal win over Yarram.
Wildcats coach Kristy Lucas said the side was “ready to take on Gormandale” with a full side expected to return to the court this weekend.
“We know that Gormandale can never be under estimated, they are a mentally and physically strong side,” Lucas said.
“The players are really starting to find full flight now so we are really looking forward to a strong second half of the season. We are building each week defensively and have a really flexible side.
“Our team is really starting to believe we can take it up to the top five sides and are looking forward to the second half of the season, where we can play out our side settled and determined to improve on the first-half results.”
Gormandale have only one win to their name after eight rounds, only slight better than Woodside who have three majors under their belt.
Yarram v Cowwarr
Yarram’s loss to Woodside at the weekend was less than ideal according to Yarram coach Stacee Staley as the Demons return home this weekend to host the Saints.
Cowwarr sit second on the ladder and head into Saturday’s game following seven-goal haul against Churchill.
Staley said while her side struggled to match Woodside’s height in the ring in round eight, her side swapped positions in the last quarter and showed promising signs of improvement.
“I guess what I’ve taken out of it is that if we had’ve done that earlier, we might have won,” Staley said.
“Cowwarr have height in their ring as well so we’ll be changing our team around to suit that. I think our girls we be able to adjust to that early on though.
“We want to play our game, not let them dictate on the court but sometimes that easier said than done.”
The Demons hold onto fourth place on the A grade ladder, equal with third placed-Churchill, and four points in front of fifth-placed Sale City.
Heyfield v Glengarry
Glengarry will head down to road to Heyfield in round nine as the Magpies attempt to claim their third win for the season.
It will be a tough ask, however, for Glengarry as Heyfield – who sit a place above the Pies – hop into the game after a six-goal win against Traralgon Tyers United.
Both teams have been dealt a blow with injury, adding to an ordinary start to the home and away season although it could be a chance for Glengarry to move up the ladder and swap places with Heyfield.
