Finals netball is still months away, but Murray Netball League will provide a glimpse of what is in store with two blockbuster top-four clashes this weekend.
League leader Deniliquin will take on fourth-placed Echuca United on Saturday afternoon, while Mulwala and Tongala will battle it out for second and third spot on the ladder.
The Rams are undefeated in 2023, boasting a 30-game winning streak that dates back to July 2021.
But they will face a stern test in Echuca against an Eagles side that has won seven of its past eight games.
The Blues and Lions share identical 9-1 win-loss records, with their respective lone defeats coming against Deniliquin.
Second spot will be on the line when Mulwala and Tongala face off, with the victor set to move four points clear of the vanquished and – potentially – move level with Deniliquin should the Rams falter.
Further down the ladder, four teams will meet in two other key clashes that could mean boom or bust for each side’s respective finals chances.
Congupna (5-5) is sitting four points outside the top six in seventh, but it will have to overcome a Numurkah side (4-6) that is hot on its heels in eighth.
“I think every game going forward is a very big game for us because of where we sit,” Congupna coach Jodie Fleming said.
“None of the teams are a walkover, none of them are easy. You have to be focused and you can’t let your guard down. You have to play your best netball every game and Numurkah is no different.”
Fleming said The Road would be buoyed by a strong performance against Mulwala last week when they took it right up to the Lions before eventually falling by five goals.
“As long as we can pull out what we pulled out last week, I am hoping we can take home those four points,” Fleming said.
“Defensively across the court we were very good. We want to look at stepping that up a notch again.
“We need to make the most of our opportunities. We get a lot of turnovers, but we don’t always convert. Our focus this week is to keep getting those great turnovers, but make sure we score off them.”
The strong showing against Mulwala was the latest in a string of impressive showings for The Road, even if the results don’t necessarily show it.
Congupna has lost three of its past four, but those three defeats have come in valiant fashion against top six sides Mulwala, Echuca United and Moama.
Fleming said her side’s performances in those games should give her players plenty of belief in their abilities.
“It gives them a lot of confidence, but more than anything it gives them that understanding that they can mix it with the best, and now they know it,” she said.
“They sort of knew, but I think last week really showed them that they have made a lot of improvement. And, while there is still more to come, they really can take it to anyone.”
In the other do-or-die clash, Cobram will take on Finley in an encounter that could seal their finals fate.
The Tigers (3-7) and Cats (2-8) will have to win on Saturday to keep their slim hopes of finals alive.
In the weekend’s other games, Moama (6-4) will meet Tocumwal (0-10), while Barooga (0-10) will host Rumbalara (6-3).