NETBALL

THE Hamilton Kangaroos will be chasing their second Open netball victory of the season when they travel to Leura Oval to take on the Magpies today.

The Kangaroos are coming off a strong two-week period, and despite not winning a game, they were competitive against two of the top three teams in the HFNL.

Camperdown sit seventh on the ladder, two games clear of the Kangaroos, but with a full squad available, the Roos will be hoping to return with the points and build some strong form approaching the midway point of the season.

Kelsey Lewis has been a strong target in goals for the blue and white, and with the likes of Hayley Sherlock and Clare Crawford in the attacking third, the visitors will be confident they can put up a big score away from home.

The versatility within the squad offers plenty of combinations and with the likely return of Leesa Iredell for today’s clash, the Kangaroos go into the round eight match full of confidence.

FOOTBALL

THE Hamilton Kangaroos will be searching for their first away of the Hampden Football Netball League, when they travel to Leura Oval to take on Camperdown today.

The blue and white sit just one game out of the top five and a game clear of the Magpies, with the visitors desperate to return with the points from the round eight clash.

Hamilton goes into the clash with one change to the side from its win over Cobden, with Cam Whyte out with a hamstring injury, with brother, James, set to fill the vacancy in the ruck.

Kangaroos coach, Hamish Waldron said it was unfortunate, but was happy to reward good form in the reserves.

“(James) has been playing well in the reserves and has been playing some good footy, so it is good reward for him,” he said.

With recent rain, the game will be a contested battle, with the likes of Waldron and Charles Murrie important with their bigger bodies.

The Roos skipper said it was about playing smart and using what was on offer to create forward thrusts.

“The ground is always heavy, if you can switch the footy, you can get a lot of room to move,” he said.

“It will be a tight contest on the inside, but hopefully we can get it out in the open.

“I see they have got a few players back in the side, so they will have a bit more experience than last week.”

Today’s game will also provide plenty of opportunities for the Kangaroos’ medium and small forwards to have an impact on the scoreboard.

With Taine Morris moving forward in recent weeks, the contest the taller targets provide will be crucial to the visitors’ hopes of getting the win.

“It is always good when the bigger boys are in there, with Taine Morris and Darcy (Russell) then Hamish (Cook) gets the next one under them,” he said.

“I had a talk to (Zach Burgess) on Thursday night and told him he has to get work off the front of them and not worry so much about leading away.”

A four-quarter effort will be required, but the Kangaroos team has the ability to get the points and claim back-to-back wins for the first time this season.