Netball
18 July, 2024
High stakes netball matches ahead
A lot is on the line in round 13 of the Wimmera Football Netball League on Saturday as teams vie for the finals positions.
Nhill is in fourth place with 26 points, Stawell is in fifth with 20, Southern Mallee Thunder is in sixth with 16, and Minyip Murtoa and Warrack Eagles are in seventh and eighth with 12, respectively.
Nhill hosts Stawell in a match that could significantly impact the teams below them. If Nhill wins, it should cement their place in the finals, but if the Warriors win and the teams below them lose, those teams face a challenging task in the final five rounds of the season.
The Thunder travel to Coughlin Park to take on one of the premiership favourites in the Horsham Saints. Over the last few rounds, the Saints have proven they are beatable, with the Demons inflicting their first loss in over two years a few weeks ago.
Thunder coach Steph Thomson said they should be at full strength.
"Abby White will be back, and we brought in Gabi Rule from B-grade and are hoping she can stick around as she played strong in defense and provided a lot of intercepts," Thomson said.
The other vitally important match for both clubs is Minyip Murtoa v Warrack Eagles, which will be played at Murtoa Recreation Reserve.
While the match loser won't be mathematically out of the finals equation, they will find it hard to make it, while the winner will give themselves every opportunity to play in the finals.
At Dimboola Recreation Reserve, the Roos host top-of-the-ladder Horsham Demons and will look to bounce back following their thrilling one-point loss to Stawell last week.