MNL | Moama and Mulwala square off in ladder-defining clash

By Zac Standish

May 18, 2022

Excited for the challenge: Moama coach Lisa Drysdale is keen to make it five wins in a row as her side travels to Mulwala. Photo by Steve Huntley

Two teams don’t typically get as evenly matched as Mulwala and Moama.

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After both beginning the season 0-2, the Magpies and Lions have hit their straps over the past month, reeling off four straight wins to be sitting fifth and sixth on the MNL A-grade ladder.

Now given a chance to solidify themselves as finals contenders, both teams come into this clash well rested and filled with confidence in what is set to be an enthralling display of senior netball.

Moama coach Lisa Drysdale said her girls would be up for what was an exciting challenge on the road at Lonsdale Oval.

“We are very keen for this game, coming off a split round the girls are really fired up to get back into it,” Drysdale said.

“I think we’ll be very evenly matched across the board, they have some very good recent results as well and we had a very close battle last year, so I think the people should expect a very close contest.”

Renowned for its stringent defence and clinical finishing around goal, Moama has put opposition sides to the sword in recent weeks to announce itself as a contender.

Drysdale said she had been very impressed with how her side had improved over the first seven weeks of the season.

“We’re just looking to build that belief in each other, it has been great watching our team develop over the past few weeks,” she said.

“Coming off four really good games confidence is high, but we are also looking for more consistency across all four quarters and this is a great chance to put that to the test.

“Hopefully this game brings out the best in us and we’ll dig deep and show what we can really do.”

When it comes to Mulwala, Drysdale said it was one of the few teams she didn’t know too much about, but understood how important it was to come away with a win.

“Holding fifth spot would be super important because it would give us that extra buffer to stay in the top six and push towards the top,” she said.

“They are probably one of the teams I know the very least about, so it is going to be a pretty big unknown on Saturday.

“For us the focus will just be to play our game and control what we can control.”

Elsewhere, Rumbalara will be looking to continue its hot form as it welcomes Barooga for a Saturday afternoon showdown.

Meanwhile Tongala completes the round seven fixture as a team desperate to get back on the winners’ list when Finley comes to town.