GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD is facing four weeks of Mininera and District Netball Association elimination finals before the home and away season finishes, with today’s clash against Lismore-Derrinallum.
The Rams will travel to Lismore knowing the side sits in fifth by just four points, and a strong performance is vital with the side needing a buffer with the top two sides also part of the run to finals.
Jane Robertson has been a strong leader for the team in attack, but the defence will need to be at their best to stop Anita Burchell and Lauren McLennan, who combined for 59 goals last week at more than 80 per cent accuracy in the Demons’ win.
Rams coach, Laura Matthews said today was another critical test for the group if it is to play finals.
“To stay ahead of Penshurst by those four points, being that we dropped the unexpected game to Rovers, we are making sure we do all we can to secure that fifth finals spot,” she said.
“We know it will be challenging, and they are always great competitors, we just need to get a good start, which usually helps us.
“We have got Nikky Lowe who has come back in and strengthened our defence in recent weeks.
“I trust in the girls and their rebounding prowess, hopefully they can do the job and put the pressure on their attackers.”
The Rams are also expecting Jenna Loats and Eleanor Dixon to return to the squad today.
Matthew said the conditions will play into the game, much like last week, but is backing her team to get the better of the Demons.
“It will be about ball speed and the movements we can use with that,” she said.
“Like everything, the other team is playing in the same conditions and it will be the team which adjusts quickest that will have the edge.
“You just have to bide your time sometimes in those kinds of conditions.”
With increased pressure on each game with little margin for error, Matthews said the team’s best netball was good enough to see the Rams finish in the top five.
“We have just talked about the weeks that are coming up,” she said.
“After that loss to Rovers, we talked about the work we need to do, and if we tick those things off, the scores and ladder positions will take care of itself.”
Other games
PENSHURST will be out to keep the pressure on Hawkesdale-Macarthur when the Bombers face Moyston-Willaura at home this afternoon.
The Bombers are a game outside the top five, and a big win today would keep the pressure on the fifth-placed Rams.
Hawkesdale-Macarthur and Woorndoo-Mortlake will take to the court at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve in a fourth v third clash.
With both teams locked on 36 points, the winner will get some breathing room in third spot with three games remaining before finals.
Tatyoon will be heavy favourite for its clash against Caramut at home, with the Hawks losing just one game so far in 2024, while the Swans have won just two games so far and sit in 10th position.
Great Western and Ararat Eagles is one of the biggest rivalries in the association, with the Ararat team undefeated and will be hoping to keep their perfect record intact with a win at North Park.
SMW Rovers and Wickliffe-Lake Bolac will battle it out in the final game of the round at Mininera Recreation Reserve, as the Magpies will be hoping to knock off the home side with an upset win this afternoon.
Football
THERE will be plenty at stake for Hawkesdale-Macarthur when it hosts Woorndoo-Mortlake at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve today.
The Mininera and District Football League round 13 clash will see the Eagles all but sew up a finals spot with a win, with the side going into the game in fourth spot, a game and percentage clear of the Tigers.
Hawkesdale-Macarthur coach, Xavier McCartney said the group knew the importance of today’s clash against the Tigers.
“We know that going into this week it is a big game, we know how important this game is,” he said.
“We have just got to get it done.
“Nobody wants to play at home and lose, so we will take that advantage.
“It is pretty much an eight-point game.”
McCartney said it was about ensuring all 21 players were up for the fight and ready for what will be a tight contest.
“We have got a good mix of players,” he said.
“Sam Hodgins is good in the midfield and our back line is strong and we have variety in our forward line.”
“It is all about getting 21 players to show up on the day
With rain forecast, it is shaping up to be similar conditions to round 12, with the Eagles undersized, compared to other teams.
“It will be very similar to last week, and sometimes you just have to defend if it is a windy day,” he said.
“We know when we get it forward, we can kick goals.”
With the Eagles still in contention for a top three spot, McCartney knows the side needs to remain focused on each game going forward.
“We just have to win games of footy, if we lose this week, we can drop to fifth or sixth,” he said.
“We have talked about how tight the ladder is and we know there is no easy games.”
The Eagles are expected to get Charlie Summers back, strengthening the back line for the clash at Hawkesdale.
Other games
LISMORE-DERRINALLUM will have home ground advantage against Glenthompson-Dunkeld, as the Demons look to retain third spot with a win at Lismore Recreation Reserve.
The Rams are 10 points behind fifth and needs to win every remaining game and hope other results go their way to finish in the top five, and the Demons will be the toughest challenge of the run home, particularly on their home ground.
Penshurst will be eyeing off yet another percentage boost, as the Bombers host Moyston-Willaura.
The Pumas have had a tough 2024 campaign, and with the Bomber sitting pretty in second, the red and black should win comfortably at home.
Great Western and Ararat Eagles will face-off at North Park in what is always a big game between the two proud clubs.
SMW Rovers and Wickliffe-Lake Bolac will clash at Mininera Recreation Reserve with the ladder-leading Magpies going into the game as heavy favourite against the 10th-placed Bulldogs.
Tatyoon and Caramut round out the fixture with the two teams to meet at the Hawks’ home ground.
