THE Mininera and District Football League/Netball Association returns after a week off with some big games scheduled.

Mininera Football

HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR will go into today’s Mininera and District Football League clash against Caramut as favourite to win its third game of the season.

The Eagles have had a tough first half of the season with injury forcing weekly changes to the team, while COVID hit the club in the week’s prior to last weekend’s bye.

The team will go into the round eight clash with one of its strongest teams of the season.

“Zac Pickett is back in, he gives us a bit of an option forward and helps in the ruck,” Hawkesdale-Macarthur co-coach, Josh Reichman said.

“Tyler Duynhoven will play his first game of the season, he will play forward.

“Matt Murray will play his first game and has come over from Colac Imperials.

“Hamish Wortley and Kyle Smitten are back which will be handy, they give us good rotations through the midfield as well.”

With a week off to recharge, the Eagles will be raring to go for their final game of the season at Macarthur Recreation Reserve.

Despite Caramut sitting in 11th position with just one to date in 2022, Reichman said the team would be focused on what it needed to do to win.

“We have just got to make sure we play the way we want to,” he said.

“We probably found ourselves in a similar position last year, then we won five or six of the last games.

“Hopefully we can do the same again this year.”

While the team will welcome some big inclusions to the team, Andrew McCartney will miss the clash along with Lachie Briody.

Reichman remained hopeful the second half of the season would see an improved win-loss ledger for the team.

“We have probably a big gap between the top five and the rest and I think the games we are playing with clubs around us, we have been competitive,” he said.

“We have a full team for the second half of the year and we should be pretty competitive.”

Other games

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD will travel to Alexandra Oval to take on the second-placed Ararat Eagles.

The Rams go into the clash just percentage out of the top five, but the home side will be no pushover and the visitors will need to do their best to defeat Ararat.

PENSHURST will be at home for its clash against SMW Rovers in a clash which could have finals ramifications for the loser.

The red and black will be hoping for a strong performance to remain in the top five.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE will be hunting a percentage boost when the Tigers host Great Western this afternoon.

The Tigers sit fifth, while the Lions have just won win to date and will need to be at their best to create an upset win.

WICKLIFFE-LAKE BOLAC will face a tough test when the Magpies travel to Derrinallum to take on the third-placed Demons.

The black and white must win to keep in touch with the top five, while Lismore-Derrinallum could pinch second spot if results go its way.

MOYSTON-WILLAURA will host ladder leader, Tatyoon, to conclude the round.

The Pumas go into the round eight contest as the only winless team, while the Hawks are undefeated with a percentage of more than 470, setting up a one-sided contest on paper.

Mininera Netball

THE Mininera and District Netball Association A grade season resumes today after a week off and it shapes up to be a big round of match-ups.

Hawkesdale-Macarthur will host Caramut at Macarthur and the home side will be eager to continue their strong start to the season.

The Eagles sit third and will be keen to keep building the on-court chemistry, but some player unavailability will mean the magnets will be shifted slightly.

The Swans go into the round eight clash in seventh position, seven points outside the top five.

If the visitors can play an intense brand of football for the full four quarters, they will push the Eagles, but the experience of the home side should see Hawkesdale-Macarthur record its sixth win of the season.

Other games

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD will be put to the test when it travels to Alexandra Oval to take on the Ararat Eagles.

The Rams have been building into the season nicely and the new team has been improving week to week.

Chloe Frost and Sarah Alderman have worked well together in goals, while Clare McKay has been a standout in defence.

McKay will have her work cut out for her though, against an Ararat team who sits second on the ladder and chasing a win on its home court.

PENSHURST will go in as favourite for its clash against SMW Rovers at home this afternoon.

The Bombers have had a strong start to the season, sitting fourth, but today’s game is a must win with three times all tied on 20 points each.

The Bulldogs are on the cusp of the top five and will have plenty of motivation, setting up what will be an intriguing contest.

MOYSTON-WILLAURA will be up against one of the premiership fancies when the Pumas host Tatyoon at Willaura Recreation Reserve.

The Hawks sit on top of the ladder, while the home team has just one win to its name so far this season.

On paper, it is shaping up to be a comfortable win for the visitors.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE will be hoping to start a resurgence in the second half of the season, hosting Great Western at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.

The Lions have struggled to put together four quarters of consistent netball all season and sit winless at the bottom of the ladder, while the Tigers fare only marginally better, having notched up three wins to date in 2022.