ROCHESTER V BENALLA
Rochester commences the final third of the season mathematically in contention to be part of the September action if it can make every post a winner, starting with the visit of Benalla.
The Tigers have got themselves to four wins until round 12 after a 31-goal win over Kyabram last Sunday.
The Saints remain winless, and they will look to Ella Sheehan who was one of her team’s shining lights with 12 of the team’s 14 goals in the loss to the Cats last Saturday.
Nat Pritchard is another that has been a model of consistency for the winless Saints.
Tia Webb (32 goals) and Teal Hocking were outstanding in the attacking third while Bridget Holt was a solid contributor in defence.
If the Tigers can get the ball into their shooters, then I think they should be too strong for the visitors. Tip: Rochester.
SHEPPARTON SWANS V MANSFIELD
The Shepparton Swans remain well in contention to play finals if it can nail its last six games, starting with the visit of Mansfield.
The Swans sit four points outside the top six behind the sixth placed Shepparton.
They will look to Hannah Garner, Sarah Down and Ella Cirillo to continue their good form to ensure they get the game on their terms.
Mansfield has been one of the big improvers in 2024.
They have managed three wins this season and they will look to Molly Rekers and Alex Ball to continue to be a model of consistency for them to be a chance of chalking up an upset win over the Swans.
The Swans were beaten by Seymour in the first part of the split round, but I do think they can get the job done against the visitors. Tip: Shepparton Swans.
MOOROOPNA V TATURA
This will be another test for the fourth placed Tatura when it makes the short trip down the road to take on Mooroopna.
The Cats are proving that they will be one of the teams to beat come September, having only lost once in 2024.
Defender, Caitlin McLachlan was outstanding in the big win over Benalla. She will be important as she tries to limit the influence of Tatura shooter Jasmine Fraser.
Cats captain and shooter Ash Lancaster will look to continue to blossom in her role in the attacking third where she dropped 35 of her team’s 58 goals in the big win over Benalla.
Molly Boyle and Molly Kennedy will have a big challenge on their hands as they try to curb Lancaster and her fellow attackers.
The Dogs have failed in most of their big tests this season and unfortunately, I think it will be the same for them against the Cats. Tip: Mooroopna.
SHEPPARTON V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Shepparton will be looking to consolidate its place inside the top six and at the same time keep the chasers at bay.
One of those chasers is Shepparton United and they will be desperate to get their season back on track after losing its past three matches, leaving it two games outside the top six.
Defender Grace McInneny has been a model of consistency in 2024 and Olivia Kirby is another that is having a fantastic season for the Demons.
They will need to play well along with their team-mates to be any chance of causing an upset over co-tenant Shepparton.
Shepparton will look to Keeley O’Dwyer, Hannah Crawley and shooter Kim Borger to get the job done and remain firmly entrenched inside the top six. Tip: Shepparton.
EUROA V KYABRAM
Euroa will be looking to consolidate its place at the top of the ladder when it takes on the 11th placed Kyabram.
The Magpies had another statement win against premiership contender Tatura in the first part of the split round. They didn’t not miss a beat despite some different combinations against Tatura.
Hollie Reid was dominant in centre, Mia Sudomirski was great in goals and Tylah Marchbank was everywhere in defence while Liv Morris was voted best player by the umpires for her superb shooting.
Abby Waasdorp was named Kyabram best in the loss to the Tigers.
She will be looking to continue that form, but in the end, I think the depth and balance of the home team will be too much for the visitors. Tip: Euroa.
ECHUCA V SEYMOUR
This should be a cracking game of netball between two of the teams looking to challenge the top two teams on the ladder.
The reigning premier sits in third place with 8 ½ wins while the visitors are in fifth place on eight wins.
Lion defenders Ruby Martin and Sarah Szczykulski combined to apply plenty of pressure in the defensive end in the win over the Swans.
Eleisha Saunders and Rosie O’Sullivan carried the ball well and fed into the goalers to provide great opportunities.
They will look to continue their form, but it won’t be easy breaking down the strong defensive combination of Lauren Jones and Ash Mangan.
Up the other end, Belinda Lees and Holly Chadwick were dynamic in setting up the win over Shepparton United.
They will look to continue that accurate shooting but it won’t be easy against the strong Seymour defensive third.
This is a real flip of the coin and I am going for the Lions to win in a real arm wrestle. Tip: Seymour.
