MDNA - The 2014 Mininera and District Netball Association season is upon us again, and as in previous years it is shaping up to be another important year.
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All clubs have worked hard throughout the pre-season to ensure a high standard of netball is played on the courts for supporters to follow.
The 12 clubs are able to field full teams in all senior grades, with only a couple not being able to field either a 15 and under or a 17 and under team.
The top teams in all grades from last year look to have retained players, making it another tight competition.
Clubs including Penshurst, Lismore/Derrinallum and Woorndoo/Mortlake will be the ones to look out for early in the season, as they look to replicate the form that saw them dominate the court in all grades last season.
Wickliffe/Lake Bolac and Moyston/Willaura will be the clubs looking to make improvements and take that extra step this year. A key focus of both teams will be to finish higher on the ladder come finals.
This week's A Grade match between the Magpies and Pumas will be a thriller, as the one goal difference in last year's elimination final will no doubt still be in the back of both teams' minds.
Woorndoo/Mortlake and Lismore/Derrinallum will take to the court in what should be a good match in all grades. Both clubs will be eager to see where they stand with each other.
Ararat will take on Tatyoon in what promises to be another close encounter. Tatyoon are keen to get the points on the board with some new players on its list.
Great Western will be at home when it takes on Glenthompson/Dunkeld, and it should be an interesting match, as preliminary reports have indicated that the home team has recruited well over the summer.
Hawkesdale/Macarthur will be the first club to take on last year's reining A Grade premiers, Penshurst.
It should be an interesting tussle and the end result will be closely watched by all clubs to gauge how the Bombers have recruited throughout the off-season.
At Mininera SM&W Rovers host Caramut in the final contest of the opening round. All senior matches will be hotly contested, with both clubs keen to get four points on the board to start the year off.