Kate Withers
NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
Spectators could be treated to a grand final preview this weekend as ladder leaders Morwell shape up to face a hungry and in-form Moe outfit in round 15 of the Gippsland league’s A grade netball competition.
Both sides come into the headline clash on the back of resounding wins in round 14.
The Tigers disposed of Maffra by 20 goals and the Lions overran Leongatha on the road by 23 goals.
Morwell clinched the win in the earlier round six encounter by four goals and coach Rachel Allison said the Lions’ combination of toughness and youth made them “unpredictable”.
“Moe really have players across the court,” Allison said.
“I think last time their tall shooters gave us a bit of trouble and they’re speedy in the midcourt but I think we can match that this time.”
Shooter Daisy Hill will be missing for the Tigers “which will make it tough” according to Allison.
“The rest of the court is coming together nicely though,” she said.
Allison pinpointed the Tigers’ starts as an area in need of improvement.
“Starts have been a big focus for us and we really did well on the weekend but our only lull was in the second quarter, so it’s about putting four quarters together,” she said.
Sale v Wonthaggi
Cellar dwellers Sale are a shot to notch their third win of the season when they host ninth-placed Wonthaggi this weekend.
Sale showed plenty more than their position on the ladder suggested and put up a fight against 2017 runners-up Drouin before being outdone by 11 goals at the final whistle.
Wonthaggi suffered a similar fate and fell to Bairnsdale by 13 goals but have the wood over the Magpies after they dealt them a 19-goal drubbing in round six.
Drouin v Traralgon
This weekend’s 2017 grand final rematch is one of two stellar games in round 15 A grade netball action this weekend.
The Maroons are a changed side to the one that took to the court in the earlier round six encounter and have been bolstered by the return of several premiership players including Stacey O’Brien, Kate French and Maddie Stockdale.
They appear to be back to their winning ways and made away with the premiership points against Warragul in a canter in round 14, 62-41.
Drouin also registered a win in round 14, their ninth for the season, at the expense of Sale.
When the sides met in round six the stalemate couldn’t be broken and the game was drawn at 57 goals apiece.
Maffra v Bairnsdale
Maffra will be looking to return to winning form on home turf this weekend when they host Bairnsdale in a fifth-plays-seventh clash.
Maffra travelled successfully to take the earlier round six game by 10 goals and will be well-placed to repeat the performance again this weekend.
The Eagles are hanging on to fifth spot on the Gippsland league A grade ladder by the skin of their teeth and sit in front of Warragul – also on seven wins – by five percentage points.
A win this weekend will be pivotal in their hunt for a post-season berth while for Bairnsdale, on five wins, finals appear out of reach with four games to go in the home and away season.
Warragul v Leongatha
Warragul can strengthen their shot at a top-five finish this weekend with a win over Leongatha.
The Gulls sit just outside the five, behind Maffra on percentage, and will be watching the Eagles’ match-up against Bairnsdale closely.
Leongatha, in eighth spot on the Gippsland league ladder, are out of the finals race but can restore some faith for the remainder of the season with a win on Saturday.
