TANTANOOLA v KALANGADOO
IT is hard to mount a case for Tantanoola against Kalangadoo, despite a tight loss to the Magpies in last year’s Mid South East netball grand final.
The Tigers went down by eight goals, but against what has been the benchmark for such a long time, it was a solid effort.
Tantanoola came from fourth place on the ladder to book a grand final berth and would have been disappointed to go down.
The grand final rematch to open 2019 should be a tight contest on court.
However, there have been several changes to the Magpies line up from last year which could make a difference on the court.
Kalangadoo will miss the senior experience of Leah Ousey and Narelle Ryan, while Lauren Duncan joins sisters Abbey and Georgia in the A Grade line up.
Ebony McDiarmid also joins the A Grade side in what should once again be a powerhouse.
There are few changes to the Tantanoola line up, with Simone Little and Kristy Varcoe to add depth.
Once again this game will be close, but the Magpies should claim the win.
GLENCOE V NANGWARRY
NANGWARRY will have a tough day ahead when the Saints travel to Glencoe oval to take on the Murphies.
Glencoe is fresh off a semi-final berth last season and will want to improve this year.
The Murphies have the added bonus of Donna Jaeschke and Ashlea Edwards returning to the A Grade ranks, while Malinda Markiewicz comes across from Nangwarry.
Markiewicz is sure to have an impact in goals, joining Jenna Paproth to give the Murphies a potent scoring duo.
Nangwarry will want to improve on its win-less 2018, with just a few players heading to the club to strengthen the roster.
Kristy Dolan comes across from Glencoe, Michelle Richardson from Vicis, Chrystal Lock from Saints and Angela Pratt returns after a season away.
It will be a tall order for the Saints to make an impact on the competition, with the opening round to go to Glencoe comfortably at home.
KONGORONG V HATHERLEIGH
HATHERLEIGH bowed out of the finals race last year with a three-goal defeat at the hands of Tantanoola in the preliminary final.
That would have been a hard pill to swallow after finishing in second place on the ladder, with four extra wins than the Tigers in the home-and-away season.
Kongorong missed out on a finals berth by a healthy margin and will want to improve on that result this year.
However, both sides have few changes to the A Grade line ups, which should bode well for the Eagles as they chase further success.
The Hawks will want to impress on their home court, but will need a big lift to compete with a side focused to push deeper into the finals this season.
Hatherleigh should win by a comfortable margin.
ROBE V MOUNT BURR
WHILE there is much talk about the Robe v Mount Burr clash on the football field, there is little to compare on the netball court.
The Roosters claimed a dramatic premiership victory over the Mozzies for the A Grade football crown last season, but the two netball sides finished well out of contention.
The Mozzies finished four points clear of the Roosters on the ladder – in sixth and seventh places respectively.
Robe will look to pin its 2019 hopes on its junior players, who have shown the ability to rise to the task at hand.
Mount Burr’s program has been similar, but this year Nadine Long comes into the A Grade ranks as coach.
This will be a tough game, with young players looking to make their mark on the competition.
It could come down to a couple of goals either way, with the Mozzies likely to claim the win.
Port MacDonnell will have the first bye of the 2019 season.
