Round nine of the Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball season is upon us and things continue to be interesting.
The top five teams on the ladder are all separated by four points, while the chasing pack is battling it out for sixth position.
At the top of the chasing pack currently sits Shepparton, with the Bears sitting in sixth, eight points behind fifth-placed Euroa.
With the Shepparton Swans hot on their heels and Benalla not far behind, every game is a must-win for the Bears.
This weekend the side will welcome Kyabram to Deakin Reserve, with a Bombers team looking to turn its season around sure to provide a challenge.
With one win from eight games, it has not been an ideal start to the season for Kyabram and, despite this, Shepparton coach Tracey Brereton is expecting a tough contest.
“We need to keep winning these games where teams are sort of around that fifth position downwards mark,” Brereton said.
“That’s so we’re creating our own destiny rather than relying on teams to win or lose for us to make the top six.”
Brereton said she was surprised by Kyabram’s early challenges with the Bears mentor impressed by the Bombers in pre-season.
“I think they’ve had close margins and probably been unlucky not to have more wins on the board,” Brereton said.
“I don’t think in this competition at the moment you can take any team lightly at all.
“If you don’t bring your best game you could be beaten quite easily, so it’s really important we concentrate against Kyabram and do all the things that we can do to make sure we produce a good performance.”
The Bears should be near full strength for the game and after a big loss to Seymour last weekend, Shepparton will be fired up and ready to go.
Saturday’s game between Shepparton and Kyabram will begin at Deakin Reserve at 2.15pm.
In another big mid-table clash, Shepparton Swans will travel to Benalla to take on a Saints side looking to move up the table.
Both teams need to win to keep the dream of a top six spot alive and with the Swans coming off a big win over Tatura, the side will be difficult to beat.
Meanwhile, Tatura will welcome Shepparton United, league-leading Seymour will travel to Rochester and Mansfield will take on Euroa at home.