THE contest between Woorndoo Mortlake and Moyston Willaura should be entertaining, with both teams keen to add a further four premiership points to their tally. 

However, Woorndoo-Mortlake is currently sitting in second spot and should be too strong for the Pumas in this game. 

The Tigers’ Jessica Cameron (GA) and Sarah Cameron (GS) are teaming well in the circle and are having the ball delivered strongly into them by team mates. The defence line-up for Moyston-Willaura is yet to be settled but they can boast being tall and hardworking. 

Katy Jewell, Melinda Beal and Chloe Dunmore are regular players in defence and they will need to curtail the Tigers attack if they want to be ahead at the final whistle. 

Woorndoo-Mortlake is an evenly balanced team and have the luxury of having strong players coming off the bench.  They also have strength with flexibility as a number of their players can play in multiple positions. 

Moyston-Willaura seem to have plenty of possession but need attacking players Kira Stapleton and Zanetta Hosking to find their range early. Both can score from a long range but need to become more consistent and work harder to get closer to the goal ring so the scoring opportunities are greater. 

This should be a keenly contested game, but I am expecting Woorndoo-Mortlake to be ahead at the final whistle.

Tatyoon v Lismore-Derrinallum

Tatyoon will be keen to secure the points against Lismore-Derrinallum after coming off a loss to Penshurst last round. 

The Hawks are another team that have shown improvement this season.

After the inclusion of some past players blended with a mix of young, Tatyoon will be looking to consolidate their place in the five. 

Zoe Astbury (GD) and Simone King (GK) have been playing strong netball in defence for Tatyoon and Lismore-Derrinallum’s attack, Stephanie Rogers (GS) and Lauren Mc Lennan (GA), will need to find their range early. 

Lauren is coming off a good game and her team will be hoping she continues that form into this match. 

Stephanie is a strong rebounder but will need to make sure she gets closer to the ring to ensure a positive result. 

An interesting dual will be witnessed between mid court players Jane Astbury (T) and Tessa Jacob (LD). 

Both make the transition from defence to attack for their respective team well and will be keen to provide drive through the mid court. 

Jacqueline McDougall and Maggie Astbury have been dynamite in the goal circle for Tatyoon and should overall be too strong for Lismore-Derrinallum’s defence.

Tatyoon have shown it enjoys a tough tussle and I expect that the Hawks will take the four points in this game.

SM&W Rovers v Penshurst

This game should be an absolute thriller between two evenly poised teams. 

SM&W Rovers have recruited well and seemed to have improved vastly on last season. 

Kate Higgins (C) has provided impetus through the mid-court and her delivery into the circle is usually finished off with some accurate shooting from Peta Byrne at goal shooter. 

The Bombers have also started their season strongly and the inclusion of Mikayla Rhook into their team further strengthens their ability to put wins on the board. 

Mikayla started her season in attack but has played the last couple of games in defence. 

With the absence of Leah Rentsch on a number of occasions due to other netball commitments, Penshurst have tried several different combinations in defence. 

It will be interesting to see how they line-up this week. Amelia Dunn is another player who isn’t available each week for the Bulldogs. Her inclusion certainly gives the home team more versatility and further strengthens their defence. 

Again, I will be keen to see if she plays a role in this game or not. 

Melanie Robertson has been dynamic through the mid court for Penshurst and her clash with Kate will be a highlight in this match.

Both are integral players for their team and it will be the turnovers that will be influential in the final result. 

Kaylee Wade (GD) and Angela Brain (GK) have been combining well in defence for the Bulldogs and their ability to curtail Penshurst’s Penny Mather (GS) and Stephanie Franklin (GA) will certainly be a big factor in this game. It should be a great game.

Hawkesdale-Macarthur v Great Western

Hawkesdale-Macarthur should be too strong in its encounter with Great Western. The Eagles have demonstrated that they can take out the tight games but I am expecting that they will be ahead early in this game. 

The defence work of the Eagles’ Casey Pye and Sally O’Keefe is important in their outcome, as they take some impressive defensive turnovers. 

Casey is a strong player who reads the game well and teams well with Sally in the circle. 

Mollie Simpson (GS) has been in inspiring form for Great Western but will find Casey and Sally tough opposition. She will need to be on the move and creating strong drives forward, also making sure she shoots from close range - her opponents won’t be giving her a second chance. 

Hawkesdale-Macarthur’s Georgia Martin (GA) and Rebecca Kavanagh (GS) have been pivotal to their team’s success so far this season and they should continue to play important roles in this match. 

Georgia is athletic and compliments this with some accurate shooting. She passes in well to Rebecca, who is generally able to finish off. 

Jacqui Ralph (GD) is also performing well for Great Western and she will need to be alert if she is to curtail Georgia’s influence. 

I am expecting Hawkesdale-Macarthur will be too strong in this match and will take home the points.

Wickliffe-ake Bolac v Glenthompson Dunkeld

Glenthompson-Dunkeld should earn the points in its match against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac but shouldn’t take the game lightly.  

The Rams have been playing some great netball this season and have a well balanced team.  

They boast a strong attack with Eve Duckmanton (GS) and Madison Kelly (GA) teaming well in the circle. Both goalies have strong hands and attack the ball with plenty of desire. Their opponents will be in for a rugged afternoon.  

In saying that, Amanda Clark has been in good touch at goal defence for the Magpies and she makes any opponent earn their possessions. She is tough at the contests and is a great reader of the game.  

Her ability to cause a turnover from nowhere is sensational. She is well-supported by Tess Koszewski (GK), who is able to initiate numerous defensive turnovers.

Wickliffe-Lake Bolac will need to finish off its good work with some solid work in the attacking circle.  

Simone McDonald (GS) and Kerrie Dendle (GA) are starting to combine well in the circle. They will need to make sure they get close to the ring as the Rams’ defence, Nikayla Lowe (GD) and Sarah Alderman (GK), are strong rebounders.  

While Glenthompson-Dunkeld is sitting on top of the table, Wickliffe-Lake Bolac is starting to string together a few wins and will certainly be competitive in this match.

Ararat Eagles v Caramut

Ararat Eagles will be making sure Caramut don’t open their winning account against them in their match this week.  

Alanna Jenkins (GS) and Sarah West (GA) have been in good form for Ararat Eagles so far this season and they will need to make sure they find their range early in this match to set their team up with a winning score.  

Kristy Lehmann has featured in Caramut’s best regularly this season, so her dual with Sarah should be a highlight. Sarah is quick around the court and sets up numerous drives into the circle.

Kristy is hard at the contests and will need to restrict Sarah’s entries into the goal circle. She is well supported at goal keeper by Shael Downs but team mates will need to apply pressure down the court to restrict the number of entries by Ararat Eagles and limited their number of opportunities.  

Jordyn Leggett (GD) and Missy Brown (GK) work hard in defence for the home team and they will be hoping to restrict the number of scoring opportunities the opposition have.  

Jordyn provides drive through the middle corridor and they will be hoping she continues to do that.  

Hannah Delaney has been playing a pivotal role for Caramut at wing attack and her delivery into Carmel Meade at goal attack has been of a high standard.  

Caramut will need to make the most of their opportunities in the ring as they don’t always get a second look at it.  

I am hoping for a close encounter but feel that Ararat Eagles have a more even balance across the court and should earn another four points this week.