Netball
2 May, 2024
Harrow Balmoral and Natimuk clash in must win battle
Natimuk host Harrow Balmoral in a must win match when round four of the Horsham District Football Netball League gets underway on Saturday.
Both teams have started 0-3 so one will have a win on the board after the round and with both teams showing fight in the first three rounds, it will take a brave man to call the winner.
Southern Roos coach Emily Langley described the game as a 'do-or-die' match.
"It is going to be a tough game and it needs to be a win for us, we need to win the match," Langley said.
"It's do or die for our confidence and if we can get the win, it will just boost the confidence of the girls moving forward.
"To get the win we just need to be consistent and run out our full 15-minute quarters. We will keep working on getting the consistency and when we get tired, we need to reset and settle."
Tori Dunston has been strong as a goal shooter this year with youngster Tara McIntyre also stepping up and providing a good option. Megan Little has been solid down back.
Natimuk coach Danielle Hanson said they are looking forward to the match.
"We are both young teams and we just need to see the matchups and go from there. Fitness will be the thing that prevails on the weekend," Hanson said.
"It is a good test for us because we will know how much we have learned from our previous three matches.
"We have been getting stuck with ball movement in the ring and are struggling coming out of defence on a turnover, so those are the two main things we have worked on this week."
Being a young team, Hanson said they are lacking a bit in confidence but will be ready to go.
"With a few young new girls, the nerves are taking over, so we just need to try and manage that before the game, but they are excited heading into the match," Hanson said.
"Olivia Sudholz is a young player that has stepped up this year and is a leader in our defence as she is very vocal and helps the other defenders.
"Olivia and Keeta Scown are working well together for two girls that have never played together before this season and it's good to see."
The Swifts have won two in a row after losing their round one clash against Kalkee and will be looking to get their third when they host unbeaten Noradjuha Quantong at North Park.
The key to them winning will be to stop Holly Nuske through the mid-court who has started the season on fire with potentially three best-on-court performances. Even then, Noradjuha still have a quality attack with Shannon Couch back after missing last week but the Swifts know they can win this match if they play to their best.
Bombers coach Fiona Rowe knows it will be tough despite where they sit on the ladder.
"We have to bring our A game this Saturday as it will be a good test and we are looking forward to playing good netball," Rowe said.
"Shannon Couch will be back and with Taylor Shelley in attack alongside her, it will be good to see what they both can do.
"Shelley is from Ballarat and played her first game last week and is a quality player and we are grateful to have her."
Pimpinio is fresh off the bye and it doesn't get any easier for them. They have faced what most believe will be the top teams this season and they face the other one in round three.
It is a tough draw to start, but the bright side is they will have played the benchmark teams early so Jayde Ellis will know what they need to do to match them later in the year.
Rupanyup hosts Kaniva Leeor and will look to bounce back at home following the loss last week.
The Cougars won't be an easy team to beat as they showed grit against Laharum last week, won their first match against Natimuk and showed grit again in round two in a tight battle with the Swifts. They have returned to A-Grade in style.
Finally, Laharum hosts Taylors Lake at home and it will be a good test for a young Taylors Lake side against who many deem are premiership favourites.