Sport
Weekend netball preview
ECHUCA’S A grade netballers can do whatever they feel like this week.They’re likely not going anywhere on the Goulburn Valley League ladder — they cannot move down to fourth, and unless Kyabram upset Seymour as well as Echuca winning, they won’t be jumping to second either.So, as Gina Pearson has said, they have a free swing at the competition’s top side Shepparton United.Echuca already has a win against the Demons this season, which bodes well for when the finals rolls around next week.So, Echuca will likely use this match as an opportunity to trial a few things new things they may want to use in finals.It’s a characteristic typical of Pearson coached sides — being very unpredictable, and always having a plan B.They may try things only to never use them again, just to throw United off their game for when the finals start next week.Who doesn’t love some mind games.ECHUCA UNITED should play its first Murray Netball League final next week against Moama, unless Rumbalara fall to Finley tomorrrow — which is very unlikely to happen.With that in mind, United will look to fine tune their game plan when they welcome Numurkah to Echuca South Recreation Reserve.Earlier in the season, the Eagles recorded a massive 70-goal victory over the Blues and we shouldn’t be surprised if they were to better that margin.They will be in no mood to mess around as they end the home and away season with a bang.MOAMA is entering finals, as we know, in unfamiliar territory.Third on the ladder in not where we are used to seeing the Mowers, and definitely not where they are used to being.Nothing is really going to change for them this week — they face Katandra, who are a well below average side, and are expected to perform a similar demolition job to what they did on Barooga a few days ago.There is something to be said about finals tune ups and getting the team into form, but the reality is, there is very little for Moama to gain out of this game before they play Echuca United next week.We hate to completely dismiss an opposition side, but there is nothing much of value in this match — simply a Moama training run.TONGALA has a tough weekend ahead.This may have been a development year, an opportunity for the Blues to adjust their new team into A grade, but they have ended up desperately close to playing finals.The Blues don’t need it considering how they are tracking, but it would be nice.Here is where the roadblock hits.The Blues sit half a game back from Congupna, who take on Barooga, and also have their opposition Nathalia breathing down their necks.A lot needs to go their way if they are to make the eight.And it starts with beating the Purps on Saturday.
Andrew Johnston
