As the halfway point of the Goulburn Valley League netball season approaches few could have predicted recent A-grade netball results.
A ruthless Seymour sits atop the ladder alongside Echuca, at 6-1 after a superb start to their respective seasons.
The latest to fall to the Lions, to the disbelief of many, was Shepparton United, which suffered a shock 56-41 loss in round seven.
Lions coach Ellie O’Sullivan is eager to continue her side’s upward momentum this weekend, but says the match-up with Shepparton is one her side certainly won’t be taking for granted.
“We’re really excited to get back into it,” O’Sullivan said.
“With a couple of wins under our belt we’re building confidence really nicely.
“We’re not taking any team lightly, we’ll come into it with our game plan and look to play our style of netball, as we do every week.”
Shepparton would have welcomed the rest last week, after illness and injury did a number on the Bears’ camp in the lead-up to the bye.
A handful of fresh faces are sure to take to the court for Shepparton tomorrow, intent on causing a round eight upset.
Hot at the heels of the top two is Mooroopna, which has strengthened its top four aspirations with recent wins over Euroa and Benalla.
A winless Mansfield faces the mountainous task of halting the Cats’ upward ascendancy this weekend.
The remaining Saturday fixture has Benalla take on Euroa, which will be without the services of gun defender and coach Ellie Warnock.
On Sunday, Echuca welcomes Rochester to Victoria Park, with the Tigers eager to spoil the Murray Bombers’ party.
Shepparton United, which was left to dwell on a shock defeat to Seymour in round seven, will welcome Kyabram in the final match of the round.