NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
A decided mismatch is taking shape in this weekend’s Gippsland league A grade netball competition between cellar dwellers Sale and ladder leaders Morwell.
Morwell hit the split round in scintillating form with 20-goal win over Leongatha – their 11th for the season.
The Tigers have only dropped the ball once in an otherwise text book season when they fell to 2017 runners-up Drouin in round eight by 11 goals, but coach Rachel Allison would not discount Sale ahead of Saturday.
“Even though Sale are bottom I don’t feel like it’s a sure win,” Allison said.
“But if we do get ahead it’s a good game to practice some of the things we want to bring in when we face some tougher teams towards the end of the season.”
Gun goal shooter Daisy Hill has been missing in action for the Tigers but goal keeper Caitlin Mareska has been filling the gap in goals and doing an “amazing job” in the process, according to Allison.
“This weekend we’ll be getting back to our standard team so hopefully everyone has a good game.”
Casey Sherriff will also make a welcome return to the midcourt for the Tigers this weekend before she returns to football commitments in round 15.
Sale, with two wins to their name, are out of the finals race and will be up against the odds when they face the Tigers this weekend.
Traralgon v Wonthaggi
The Maroons made away with the points at the expense of Sale by 17 goals before the split round and have eight wins for the season – one behind Moe and three behind Morwell in first.
The defending premiers are well placed with five games to play in the season proper but need to clinch this weekend’s game against Wonthaggi to shore up a post-season berth.
The Maroons don’t have a clear run home with Drouin, Moe and Morwell to come, but the side is heading back towards full strength.
Midcourter Stacey O’Brien and shooter Maddie Stockdale have made successful returns from injury.
Premiership coach Kate French has missed the bulk of the season with a knee injury but is likely to return in the coming weeks while defender Ramayer Gourley (osteitis pubis) remains sidelined.
Wonthaggi languish at the other end of the ladder in ninth spot, ahead of Sale, with two wins for the season and were edged out by three goals against Maffra before the split round.
Warragul v Drouin
Last year’s grand finalists Drouin will travel to Warragul this weekend in search of win number nine against an in-form Gulls side.
The Hawks sit in fourth spot on the Gippsland league A grade ladder with eight wins – matched with Traralgon – and have won two of their last three outings.
Warragul are enjoying a purple patch of their own and have won four of their last five games, with round 10’s four-goal loss to Morwell the only blemish to their name in that time.
When the sides last met in round four, Warragul travelled exceptionally well and surprised the 2017 runners-up by cantering home to a comfortable 15-goal victory.
