Having been held to a 42-42 draw by the Blues, the Tigers know dropping more points in a heated race for a top-four finish is simply not an option against the struggling Demons.
Jerilderie has won two games this season — most recently against bottom-ranked Yarroweyah — falling 45-24 to the Deniliquin Roves last weekend with Meagan Mauger and Tia Williams the standout players.
While the Tigers remain second on the table and brilliantly positioned with finals quickly approaching, their form is the shakiest it has been all season, having won just two of their past five games.
Of last week’s Picola United draw, Tigers coach Ria Still told the Cobram Courier the side had shown strong character.
‘‘’It was a tough, high intensity game, it was 60 minutes of competitive netball,’’ she said.
‘‘We definitely had opportunities to push for the lead, but we couldn’t quite gain the momentum we needed and we made a few errors in the crucial last quarter.
‘‘Our defence was outstanding, as well as work rate throughout the midcourt.
‘‘We are happy to take the two points and have definitely taken a lot away from the game.’’
Katamatite won 49-39 when the sides met in round one and would be confident of repeating that result.
In a shortened weekend of Picola netball, just two other games will take place with Tocumwal battling Yarroweyah and Katunga challenging Waaia.
The latter shapes as a big test for both sides, with the fifth-ranked Swans looking to get back to their sensational winning form after a narrow one-goal loss to league-leader Tocumwal.
But while the Bombers sit in seventh, their form has ramped up in recent times, winning three of their past four games to spark their season into life.
Both sides enter off the back of a bye, with the Swans desperate to get a win and move back inside the league’s top four.
At Tocumwal, the Bloods will be more than confident they can see off the battling Hoppers, who boast one win for the campaign.
Tocumwal summarily dismissed Yarroweyah by 38 goals when the sides met in round one, fuelling confidence the in-form Bloods can post another win.
They saw off Blighty 57-36 last weekend with Meg Erickson, Alana Coates and Zoe Stephens in form.
