Eagles strive to upset Eagles in big netball clash
THE only team to beat Swan Hill this A-grade netball season, Mallee Eagles will aim to do so in Saturday’s second semi-final in the Central Murray Football Netball League’s big clash.
It’s the battle of the birds as the Swans and Eagles take to the court at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Swan Hill’s brilliant run in the home-and-away series included 13 wins, and a 51-all draw with Lake Boga in the third round.
Beaten by 12 goals when it played Swan Hill in round two, Mallee Eagles struck back for a crucial 68-61 away victory in the 12th round.
Mallee began the finals series by scoring a five-goal win against Balranald in last Saturday’s qualifying final.
Kellie Walker scored 45 goals for the Eagles and looms as a big threat to the Swans’ chances.
Prize for the winner is being first to the September 17 grand final to be played at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
For the loser of the second semi-final it’s use the second-chance card courtesy of a top-three finish and play in the September 10 preliminary final at Cohuna.
The Swans and Eagles meet in the A-reserve second semi-final.
A winning streak of 16 matches by Mallee Eagles includes a 40-39 win against Swan Hill in round two at Lalbert, and a 41-30 victory at Swan Hill in the 12th round.
Swan Hill hit back from being down 22-25 at half-time to record a 51-46 victory in the qualifying final against Balranald.
Emily Paterson scored 37 goals and Bianca Brown added 14 for the Swans.
The Mallee Eagles will also work to build on an unbeaten streak of 16 matches when they play Swan Hill in the B-grade second semi-final.
Mallee beat Swan Hill by 17 goals in round two and by 29 in the 12th round.
The Swans scored a 38-36 victory in the qualifying final against Woorinen as Millie and Sophie Reed scored 29 and nine goals.
A big day for Swan Hill includes being represented in the B-reserve second semi against Cohuna.
Both matches in the home-and-away series were thrillers.
Swan Hill won 34-32 in round five, and the Kangas claimed a 35-34 victory in round 15 at Cohuna.
Alyce Mathers poured in 28 goals as Jenna Grubb added six in a 34-29 result for Cohuna against Nyah Nyah West United in the qualifying final.
Lake Boga will start favourite against Tyntynder in the 18-and-under second semi.
The Magpies dominated the round four clash, 46-23, and then claimed a 37-24 victory in the ninth round.
Tyntynder began the finals series with a 35-28 result against Cohuna Kangas in the qualifying final.
The 16-and-under second semi-final features Tooleybuc Manangatang against Kerang.
In their only meeting this season, Kerang won 58-45 in the 10th round on Tooleybuc Manangatang’s court.
Kerang marked a 51-42 qualifying final win against Koondrook Barham.
The Tiger cubs from Woorinen take on Tyntynder in the 14-and-under second semi-final.
Woorinen won both showdowns with Tyntynder in the run to the finals.
The Tigers won 29-23 at Tyntynder in round six, and 28-24 at Woorinen in the 16th round.
Tyntynder beat Lake Boga, 26-18, in last Saturday’s qualifying final.
Eight clubs will be represented across Saturday’s netball action, with Swan Hill the most on four and Mallee Eagles by three.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Kerang’s Riverside Park:
14-and-under at 10.20am: Woorinen v Tyntynder.
16-and-under at 9am: Tooleybuc Manangatang v Kerang.
18-and-under at 10.20am: Lake Boga v Tyntynder.
B-reserve at 1pm: Swan Hill v Cohuna.
B-grade at 11.40am: Mallee Eagles v Swan Hill.
A-reserve at 1pm: Mallee Eagles v Swan Hill.
A-grade at 2.30pm: Swan Hill v Mallee Eagles.
Written by Nathan Dole.
Photo via Tyntynder FNC Facebook
