Glencoe v Hatherleigh
JUST three goals separated Hatherleigh from Glencoe in Round 1 of the 2018 Mid South East netball season, which sets up an intriguing clash between second and third this weekend.
The Murphies were without the services of Ebony McDiarmid in the opening round of the season and she will carry confidence into Saturday after a weekend of achievements.
McDiarmid was a big contributor to Mid South East’s South Australian Country Netball Championship senior victory.
Her accuracy in the goal circle and strong holds over the weekend also earned her a position in the team-of-the-carnival.
McDiarmid’s absence would have had an influence on Round 1’s result, which means a confident Glencoe outfit will hit the court on Saturday.
Sarah Edwards and Caitlin Liebich will stick tight to Keston Green and Maddie Pulmer for the full four quarters in bid to cause an upset.
However, Hatherleigh’s Maddie Redman is also fresh off a stellar weekend at the country championships.
She too, was selected in the team-of-the-carnival and will cause headaches for both McDiarmid and her shooting partner Chantelle Cocks.
This game will be a battle of the goalers and will come down to the wire.
Kongorong v Mount Burr
BOTH Kongorong and Mount Burr are still in touch with the Mid South East Netball Association A Grade top four and as a result will come out firing on the weekend.
The Hawks defensive duo of Roxy Gibson and Jessie Little will do their best to limit Ebony Clark’s influence at the post.
Clark has a strong hold and if she is given the opportunity will turn this game into a one-sided affair.
She works well with her shooting partner Hayley Agnew, but against Gibson and Little, no possession will come easy.
Ash Sturges and Laura Schultz will battle in centre and their duel will go a long way in deciphering the end result.
After a solid South Australian Country Championships campaign in the 17 and Under team in Adelaide, Sophie Wallis will hold up the Mozzies’ defensive end.
However, Kongorong claimed a seven-goal victory in Round 1 and will aim for another win this weekend in order to keep in touch with the top four.
Port MacDonnell v Kalangadoo
KALANGADOO is yet to be seriously challenged in 2018 and its dominance will continue this weekend when it faces a struggling Port MacDonnell outfit.
The Magpies have had a strong opening half of the season, while the Demons have suffered from inconsistency.
Abbey Duncan and Melissa Russell are one of the toughest shooting duos in the association and both Steph Taylor and Brooke Hawkins will need to bring their best.
Duncan is coming off a successful South Australian Country Championships senior victory with the Mid South East Netball Association and she will bring that confidence into this weekend.
Not only was the goaler a big contributor to the victory, but she was also selected in the team-of-the-carnival.
Young Magpies Jasmine Croser and Chloe Pratt were also members of the championships team, as was Port MacDonnell’s Megan Hein.
Hein has been consistent throughout the opening half of the season in hope to improve her side’s results, but she will need a full team effort from the Demons if they are to come close to the undefeated Kalangadoo side.
However, it is likely the Magpies will take control of the game early and claim a convincing victory.
Nangwarry v Robe
NANGWARRY and Robe would be disappointed with their seasons so far.
The Saints are yet to win a game in 2018, while the Roosters claimed their one and only victory against Nangwarry in Round 1.
Robe’s Georgia Hunter has had a solid start to her first season with the Roosters.
Hunter has combined well with Kim Ross in attack and the two had fed well into Halle Carter who finishes accurately.
On the other hand, Nangwarry coach Malinda Markiewicz will hope her side can shut down Robe’s smooth transition into attack.
Markiewicz leads by example on court and rarely wastes an opportunity in the goal circle.
She will hope to get her side’s first win of the year, but it is unlikely the Roosters will drop this match.
