In control: Shepparton’s Tanner Edwards will hope to steer her side to a win over Benalla on Sunday.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
With the top five more or less locked in as the Goulburn Valley League netball season approaches its conclusion, time is nigh for a number of chasing clubs to make their last-gasp finals push.
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Two rounds remain of the home and away season and sixth-place is well and truly still up for grabs.
For the moment, it’s Shepparton’s for the taking, but as has been proven time and time again this year, nothing is for certain.
Following a thrilling 55-47 loss to Echuca last weekend, Shepparton mentor Tracey Brereton said the Bears’ performance had set them up for a big finish to their campaign.
“I was really happy, really happy with last week, we went down by just eight in the end and won the last quarter 17-13,” Brereton said.
“I was really impressed with the way we played, it sets us up for great games leading into the last two rounds.”
A clash with Benalla is what faces Shepparton on Sunday.
Brereton said her side was well aware of the challenge the Saints pose to its finals ambitions.
“Looking at the ladder, we need at least one win from our final two games, we know Benalla is still in the mix and they’ll come here wanting to win,” she said.
“The bottom line is, they played very well last time we played, we’re not taking anything away from them, but it was probably our worst game of the season when we played them.”
Racing to sixth spot: Kelsey Pallpratt and Benalla take on Shepparton this weekend.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“All credit to Benalla, they’ve got a lot of experience in that team with Kellie and other players, even though they’re sitting in ninth, that doesn’t matter and they will still be trying to play finals.”
Young gun Ruby Higgins is expected to feature again after a stellar best-on-court performance last time out, while Caitlin Hill returns to the side after being named in the Victoria Netball League division one Team of the Year.
On Saturday, Shepparton Swans will take on Rochester at Princess Park for what could be a ladder-defining clash.
The Tigers enjoyed a week off after a brave 56-48 performance against Shepparton United and look primed for a big finish to their season.
The Swans are surely just as eager for the four points; they sit two behind Rochester and remain well in the hunt for finals.
Rochester will look to Teal Hocking to set the tone, who is expected to return after a huge week of VNL action.
Hocking enjoyed premiership success with City West Falcons and was named best-on-court in the Falcons’ 62-47 win.
In what serves as a finals preview, Echuca is back at Victoria Park to welcome Shepparton United, while Mooroopna makes the trek to Euroa.
Elsewhere, Seymour and Tatura go head-to-head at Kings Park, while Kyabram hits the road for a clash with Mansfield.
Focused: Ella Roulston and Rochester take on Shepparton Swans this weekend.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
