A grand final rematch with finals implications and an intriguing top-six clash are set to headline an intriguing weekend of Goulburn Valley League netball action.
Shepparton United and Seymour will meet at Deakin Reserve for the first time since their grand final showdown on the same court last season on Saturday afternoon, while Euroa – looking to bounce back from its second defeat of the season last week – will face off against a Shepparton side in the midst of a good run of form.
While the stakes surrounding Saturday’s clash between United and the Lions may not be as high as they were last September when the premiership trophy was on the line, both sides will still have plenty to play for.
The Demons, sitting in seventh spot on the ladder, will be hungry for a win as they look to keep pace in the race for the top six.
The fourth-placed Lions, meanwhile, will be keen to snap a two-game losing streak.
United coach Jeanette Serra said the focus for her side was all about what was in front of it, rather than looking back on last year’s finale.
“We are just really looking to consolidate and get another win as we want to be in a position to be playing finals netball. That is how we are looking at it, to be honest,” Serra said.
After a tough start to the season where United lost five of its first seven games of the year, the Demons have bounced back with three wins on the trot.
With a new-look side in 2023, Serra said it had taken time for United to start to hit its straps.
“We are beginning to settle into the team that we have and getting some experience and time on the court together, which has been really important for us,” she said.
“We have had three wins in a row, so we are quietly confident that we will be competitive against Seymour, knowing that they are a pretty strong outfit.
“We are confident that if we can continue to keep playing the netball that we have been – having consistent, four-quarter efforts – that we will be really competitive.
“We have a new goaling combination this year, it has just taken a little bit of time for that combination to grow and create that connection.
“Georgia Walpole has shot really well for us over the last three weeks in particular, her accuracy has been excellent.
“If we can hopefully get some turnovers in defence, that will set us up and accuracy in our goaling ring will hold us in good stead, hopefully.”
Down the road at Euroa, the Magpies and Bears will battle it out in an important top-six showdown.
The Pies will be trying to bounce back from a defeat to Mooroopna last weekend that had them drop from top spot on the ladder to second.
Euroa had won six games in a row prior to last weekend, before a 31-39 loss to the Cats ended that streak at half-a-dozen.
A second defeat in as many weeks would put Euroa’s spot in the top two at risk, while on the flip side, with Mooroopna out of action due to the split round, a win would return the Magpies to top spot – at least temporarily.
The Bears, meanwhile, have enjoyed a good run of form that has had them win four of their past five games.
Sitting in sixth spot, a win would not only solidify Shepparton’s spot in the finals race, but could also have the Bears move as high as fourth on the ladder.
In Saturday’s third and final clash, battlers Benalla and Kyabram will meet with a chance for both sides to earn their second win of the year on the line.
The Bombers and Saints have 1-9 win-loss records and sit in 10th and 11th on the ladder.