Netball
30 May, 2024
Epic netball battles ahead
Netball in round eight of the Horsham and District Football Netball League on Saturday is set to be an epic battle with a few key matchups ahead.
The match of the round is against Kalkee and Noradjuha Quantong. Both teams are sitting on five wins with Rupanyup, two behind Laharum and one ahead of Edenhope Apsley, so it's a massive game heading into the bye.
The Bombers bounced back last week after two consecutive losses, and with Taylor Shelley and Shannon Couch in good form, will be hoping to put up enough goals to take away the win.
The Kees in-form players are Jarrah Martin and Jenna Bywaters who continue to shine in attack. On form, it looks set to be a high-scoring match, but both teams will be vying for their good defences to stand up.
Bomber's coach Fiona Rowe said they need to be switched on from the start.
"We need to start right from the first quarter and not wait a quarter or two to hit our straps," Rowe said.
"We need to make sure everyone is switched on and raring to go."
Kalkee coach Paula Wiedermann highlighted the importance of the match.
"It is going to be a tough contest and the girls are looking forward to it," Wiedermann said.
"The Bombers only play Laharum once this season, so they have the upper hand, so it's an extra important game for us.
"The key matchup will be Lotus Martin on Shannon Couch."
Laharum welcomes back Ema and Maddison Iredell and Mel Russell and will look to win big against an improving Natimuk team at Cameron Oval.
Stopping Caitlin Jones-Story needs to be a focus as she has amassed 270 goals in seven games with a shooting percentage of 78.71%.
Kaniva Leeor hosts Taylors Lake in an important match for both teams. The Cougars are two games behind sixth spot, whilst they are one game ahead of the Lakers.
A win to either team will keep them in the hunt for the top six. A loss, especially to the Lakers, and it will be a hard ladder to climb.
Rupanyup hosts an Edenhope Apsley side that came agonisingly close to a massive win last weekend against Laharum.
The Panthers are in good form at the moment on a winning streak of four games with Zanaiya Bergen and Maddison Morgan combining well up forward with Victoria Taylor in fine form down back.
Lavinia Fox has been great in attack for the Saints this year with 171 goals in five games.
Panther's coach Jedda Heard said they are still working on building as a team.
"We are going to go out there and take it as it comes as you never know what may happen," Heard said.
"We are working on building as a team and working on doing what we can do well and practicing the things we don't do well.
"We need to work on our movement more. We do well and get good passages going and then get stuck. We just need to focus on continuing moving the ball in the attacking end."
In the final game, Harrow Balmoral will eye their first win against Pimpinio. Both teams are at the bottom of the ladder.
A little stat that may give the Southern Roos confidence is they have scored 208 goals with 329 against whilst the Tigers have scored 193 goals with 332 against.
Both teams are improving each week and whichever team can play four quarters and take their opportunities will win what is anticipated to be a close match.
Southern Roos coach Emily Langley said they won't be getting ahead of themselves.
"We have the same team that is building in confidence each week and we will try to give us the best chance we can and hopefully that will get us across the line," Langley said.
Tigers coach Jayde Ellis is looking forward to the opportunity of playing a team on a similar level.
"We are looking forward to the game. It's a good matchup and they are a young side that is similar to us," Ellis said.
"I think it will be good to see how we go against a team that is similar to us age- wise.
"We are playing at home and will have a good crowd supporting us so we are looking forward to it."