An enormous task lays ahead of Shepparton in this weekend’s Goulburn Valley League split round — but not an impossible one.
The first half of round 16 has a meeting of the utmost importance, not just for right now in August, but September as well, when the Magpies and Bears collide on the courts of Euroa’s Memorial Oval.
There perhaps couldn’t be a better time for Shepparton to match up against the imposing black and white outfit, which has held pole position in the league for much of season 2024.
Four straight wins, taking its record from an uncertain 6-5 to a seriously contending 10-5 ledger, sit in stark contrast to Euroa’s winning run being comprehensively ended at the hands of reigning premier Echuca last week.
This game presents the sternest test yet for Stacey Thompson’s charges, though; though the Bears have improved their standing dramatically in the past month, they have not beaten any teams sitting above them in this run.
Couple that with any hopes of a minor premiership — and, quite possibly, a top-two berth — evaporating in the event of defeat Saturday and one might say the pressure is on to deliver.
Thompson says her squad is ready to embrace what comes with both hands.
“Momentum is on our side, but it’s just a good chance to face them again after we played them earlier in the year,” Thompson said.
“We’re quite established now, so it’ll be a good test to see where we’re at and what we need to work on over the last couple of rounds.
“We were so disappointed in ourselves last time we faced them, so it’s going to be good to show what we can do against them now and put out some exciting netball.
“We’re getting to play the right teams at the right times, which is great.”
Indeed, the 77-42 hiding Shepparton copped from Euroa in round four would have left some pride heavily wounded after a powerful start to the year.
The struggles that threatened the Bears midway through the campaign after a tough draw have been firmly arrested and corrected, though.
With that in mind, Euroa possesses some star individuals who will require close attention this time, the likes of prominent goaler Olivia Morris — names who need no introduction to Thompson.
“You have to pay respect to Olivia for what she’s been able to do for them this year, especially in big moments,” Thompson said.
“She’s obviously been great, but the way I look at it is if she’s shooting for goal, then the players up the court haven’t done their job.
“Everyone has to do their job in their position first before you think about that.”
Then, of course, the matter of a congested group of clubhouse leaders jostling for supremacy underneath the Magpies.
While not everyone is in action this weekend, there will be plenty for neutrals to keep an eye on as the finals race accelerates towards the pointy end.
For Thompson, though, it’s a case of putting the blinders on and working out the Bears’ game first.
“Every week you look at the scores and something happens that you can’t work out,” Thompson said.
“We’re focused on ourselves each week and, hopefully, if we do everything we can, everything else falls our way.
“We’re just looking forward to testing ourselves against this top team.”
There will be plenty on offer elsewhere with another clash down south pitting finals contenders at odds.
Sixth-placed Seymour welcomes Echuca to Kings Park, seeking to make serious amends in the midst of a three-game losing run that has had the race for the final spot in September take on more life than anticipated.
The defending champion in green will make things no easier, having assembled all the right ingredients to hand Euroa its second loss of season 2024 a week ago.
Mooroopna, sitting a game off the top, will be waiting in the wings to take full advantage of any potential mistakes made by the Magpies, with the Cats heavily favoured in welcoming 11th-placed Kyabram to town.
Rounding out the four-game weekend will be Mansfield, having recently found some touch following a couple of wins against the cellar-dwelling Saints and Bombers, looking to cause a major boilover against a fourth-placed Tatura side which desperately needs more breathing room from the Bears.