THE LOCAL derby game always brings out the best in players no matter what the sport is, and with Penshurst hosting arch-rivals Glenthompson-Dunkeld at Penhurst Recreation Reserve today in round eight of the Mininera and District Netball Association (MDNA) A grade competition, there will be plenty at stake other than the four premiership points on offer.
The Bombers will be celebrating their Indigenous culture with all football and netball teams wearing the special Indigenous uniform designed for the club last season.
Penshurst sits in sixth place on the ladder, four points behind Glenthompson-Dunkeld, Woorndoo-Mortlake, and Hawkesdale-Macarthur who are all equal on 20 points but separated by only six percentage points.
A loss to the Rams will open a gap between the two teams, and with the Eagles and the Tigers both expected to win their games, that gap will blow out to eight points and make any finals hopes very difficult, even with eight games to play.
“Scoreboard pressure is important,” Penshurst coach, Leah Mirtschin said.
“We couldn’t capitalise on our turnovers last week (round seven) but coming into this week we aim to turn that around.
“We need to put in a full four-quarter effort of our game plan if we want this win.
“Being the Indigenous round, and a close town rival, it’s sure to draw a big crowd through the gates, there will be an exciting atmosphere at the club and that’s sure to motivate everyone on the court come Saturday.”
Hawkesdale-Macarthur v Great Western
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR is riding high in third place on the ladder and is expected to take care of business against Great Western at Macarthur Recreation Reserve this afternoon.
Both teams will be rested after having the bye for the long weekend, but both enter the game in losing form as the home side had little more than a training run against SMW Rovers, while the Lions were thrashed by Tatyoon.
The Eagles will take care of business this afternoon.
Other games
TATYOON is averaging 65 goals per game in attack and only 27 goals against, so Lismore-Derrinallum has a monumental task ahead, but the team must go in with a positive mindset at Derrinallum Recreation Reserve today.
The wooden spoon is not an award any team wants to win, but it’s up for grabs today at Willaura Recreation Reserve when Moyston-Willaura host SMW Rovers, with the Bulldogs slight favourites.
Ninth-placed Caramut host the undefeated Ararat Eagles at Caramut Recreation Reserve and will be no match for the visitors, while Wickliffe-Lake Bolac travel to Woorndoo Recreation Reserve to battle the highly fancied Woorndoo-Mortlake team.
