PENSHURST Football Netball Club celebrates its 150th birthday today when it hosts Hawkesdale-Macarthur at Penshurst Recreation Reserve in round four of the Mininera and District Football League, knowing the visitors would love nothing more than to spoil the celebrations with a win.
“It’s huge occasion for the club this weekend and we will be looking to play with a lot of pride, this weekend our gameplay stays the same,” Penshurst coach, Jayden Watson said.
The Bombers are riding a form wave at present with the team opening the 2024 season with three straight victories, all by comfortable margins.
The defeat of reigning premier, Tatyoon, last round is the highlight to date, but the Eagles are one team that can take the game right up to their hosts, having lost only once in the opening three rounds.
A first-round loss to Wickliffe-Lake Bolac is the only blot on the Eagles’ record, as they look to take the Bombers on at their own game today.
Both teams look to do the hard yards inside with little regard for bodies when battling for the ball, while they look to get possession to the outside running players who quickly put the team into attack.
“We will have to be wary at the speed they will look to move the ball, and our transition from attack into defence will have to be good,” Watson said.
“We will have to watch a few of their forwards, as they can score heavily if we give them the chance.”
The Bombers boast two of the top three goal kickers in the competition with Ian Milera (20) and Josh Rentsch (14) sitting first and third respectively.
“Our side will be at full strength without looking at our longer-term injured boys and providing some selection headaches which is ultimately a good problem to have,” Watson said.
Ararat Eagles v Glenthompson-Dunkeld
ALEXANDRA Oval will host this clash between two teams locked together on the ladder with two wins apiece.
Both teams have had similar starts to the season with two comfortable victories against struggling teams, while each was defeated by Lismore-Derrinallum, with Ararat Eagles being well beaten, while the Rams fell one point short in a thrilling game.
Glenthompson-Dunkeld coach, Tom Waters, has his side playing good football, as the inside midfielders are getting the ball to the speedy outside runners who are moving the ball forward, where the forwards have enjoyed clear space to contest the ball.
Small forward, Zach Burgess, missed last round but will be back this weekend, as he gives an extra forward target for the Rams.
Other games
LAKE BOLAC Recreation Reserve will host what many would see as the match of the round with two undefeated teams going head-to-head as Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and Lismore-Derrinallum face-off.
Of the two, the Demons have had a tougher draw, knocking off two top five teams, while the Magpies have yet to face off against a high-ranking team.
With strong victories against tough opposition on the board, Lismore-Derrinallum should claim another top five scalp.
Fifth-placed Woorndoo-Mortlake will carry on climbing the ladder when it hosts Great Western at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve today.
The Tigers have won two games to date, including a revenge victory against reigning premier, Tatyoon, in round one, and only fell to Hawkesdale-Macarthur by four points in its only loss.
The Lions are yet to open their account this season, as they face the Bulldogs in a day the club is celebrating previous success, with four premiership reunions.
Caramut hosts SMW Rovers and the Swans have been improving with each passing game.
Neither of these teams has posted a victory this year, but the home side has been resurgent this season under coach, Scott Judd, which will see the home side hoping to grab its maiden victory.
Moyston-Willaura will battle to defeat Tatyoon at Willaura Recreation Reserve today even though the Hawks are far from the force they were last year.
With nine different players taking the field from that of its grand final winning team, Tatyoon has dropped two of its opening games and occupies eighth spot on the ladder which is unknown territory for the reigning premiers.
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR travels to Penshurst Recreation Reserve today looking to come away with victory and spoil the Penshurst party in the Mininera and District Netball Association.
Both teams have posted two wins and a loss in the opening three rounds of the season, with the Eagles one place higher on the ladder, due to a slightly better percentage.
“Hawkesdale-Macarthur is a close town rivalry and with the excitement of the 150th celebration, the game will certainly have a finals aura around it,” Penshurst coach, Leah Mirtschin said.
“The message doesn’t change to my players, as we always go out there to play our game plan and make the club proud, but there will definitely be more feeling this week.
“We need to apply our heavy pressure across the court and convert off turnovers.”
The Bombers received some bad news with two players ruled out of the game.
“Emily Huglin is out for the season after her round one knee injury being confirmed as a ruptured ACL, while Sophie Rentsch is also still out this week with her concussion,” Mirtschin said.
Ararat Eagles v Glenthompson-Dunkeld
TWO undefeated teams will meet at Alexandra Oval today, as Ararat Eagles host a resurgent Glenthompson-Dunkeld in the round four match of the round.
The Rams are a different team to that of last season with Jane Robertson giving the team a focal point in goals, as she shoots at 75-80 per cent, giving the side reward for the hard work further downfield.
Both teams have carried all before them to date with each defeating teams that don’t appear in the top five on the ladder, and this game will give each squad a more precise indication of exactly where they are at.
Netball
The Rams have a slight edge in that they know how the home side plays, whereas Ararat Eagles will be in the dark for knowledge about the visitors, as the Rams are a completely different unit this year.
Clare McKay has been stoic at goal keeper, as she defuses the attack of the opposition and repels the ball back upfield, while Chloe Frost sets the Rams forward thrusts in motion in the midcourt.
This is going to a be a game where any mistake could prove costly, as only a goal or two will separate the teams at the final siren.
Other games
WILLAURA Recreation Reserve is the venue for the Willaura-Lake Bolac game against Lismore-Derrinallum with both teams having tasted success only once this season.
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac has surprised all opponents this season with the way it’s playing after the Magpies failed to field a team in the top grade for the past few years, but they have been close in all their games, whereas the Demons were thrashed by Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
Woorndoo-Mortlake will take care of business against Great Western at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve this afternoon and continue its climb up the ladder.
Caramut and SMW Rovers are each looking to claim a maiden victory today when the teams meet at Caramut Recreation Reserve, as the Bulldogs sit all alone at the bottom of the ladder while the Swans are two places higher due to a better percentage and the game will come down to toss of a coin to determine a winner.
Reigning premier, Tatyoon, will travel to Willaura Recreation Reserve today and will be searching for the perfect game in its mismatch with Moyston-Willaura.
