Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball top four hopefuls Mooroopna and Shepparton United are set to duke it out this Saturday in what could be a ladder-defining clash.
With just five rounds of the regular season remaining, the two perennial contenders are locked on 44 points in second and third, with Euroa and Echuca clipping at their heels close behind.
All signs suggest this weekend’s headliner will be a thriller, after the Cats and Dees played out arguably the game of the season back in round three, the Dees prevailing on that occasion 52-50.
Demons coach Kara Blizzard, who is set to represent the GVL on Sunday at the Netball Victoria Association Championships, said her sights were firmly set on a big Saturday fixture.
“It’s a very big weekend, obviously the main priority for us is Saturday against Mooroopna,” Blizzard said.
“But certainly in the back of your mind is the champs on Sunday, it’s a tournament-style competition, we’ll be looking to compete and hopefully come away with a win.”
Not a lot has changed since round three for United; its star-studded lineup has picked up almost all points available to them throughout the year.
Blizzard said a rematch with the Cats served as the perfect opportunity to test themselves in the back half of the season.
“It’s really exciting (to play Mooroopna again), from all reports it was a great game for the spectators as well, we’re looking forward to seeing both sides go at it for a shot at number two,” she said.
“I don’t think too much has changed since then for us, obviously we’ve gotten a lot more training in — working on our combinations and have improved in that respect.”
As the Dees enter the business end of their season, and with Euroa up next, Blizzard knows the importance of finishing the season strongly.
“I’m actually really looking forward to it, just talking about five games remaining, it’s a big reminder we’re on the home stretch,” she said.
“We’re going to keep pushing hard, we realise anything is possible, I don’t think we’ll be handed any games on a platter, it’s whoever who combines best on game day and takes it game by game and quarter by quarter.”
There’s no shortage of intriguing fixtures around the courts this weekend, with Rochester and Benalla due to battle it out for a finals ticket before the season escapes them.
In that chasing pack is also Kyabram, who faces a daunting Seymour challenge on Saturday.
But if last weekend is anything to go by the Bombers proved they can take it up to the GVL heavyweights, by giving Mooroopna a scare in a 63-54 defeat.
On the back of nail-biting 51-49 win over Echuca last week, Euroa welcomes Shepparton Swans, while the Murray Bombers host Tatura.
Shepparton will be on the hunt for a crucial four points as the Bears make the trip to Mansfield.