Albury will have the option this week of playing Bushrangers Connor O’Sullivan and Phoenix Gothard. Michael Duncan looks likely to miss with a hamstring complaint. 

The battle in the midfield will feature top-end talent of the highest order with both side’s depth of players capable of running through the middle extraordinarily high. 

Both forward lines ooze class with Leigh Williams, Matt Casey, Dylan Conway, Jess Koopman and Nick Fothergill all capable of kicking bags of goals. 

Jacob Conlan and Jeff Garlett will need to be at their best if they are to match the firepower of the Pigeons, the likely inclusion of young gun Connor Osullivan looms large for Albury. 

Bunton Park is looking a picture ahead of the first semi-final with Wangaratta going into the clash with Wodonga a slight favourite. 

The Pies will be looking to get Matt Grossman, Hunter Gottschling and Harrison Hewitt into a side that was extremely competitive against Albury last Saturday. 

If veteran forward Michael Newton pulls up well from his five-goal return after a long absence, he along with a healthier Cal Moore will test the Dogs’ excellent defence. 

Charlie Morrison, Michael Driscoll, and Dan Wortman dominated the Rovers forwards last Sunday and if Tom Johnston returns from a knee injury, they gain even more flexibility and experience. 

Adam Jorgensen, Josh Mathey and Angus Baker are all midfielders in great form – the Doggies forwards Oscar Wilding and Sam Jewell hold the key to a surprise Bulldog victory. 

Noah Spiteri with four goals last week was pivotal – he and Jet Cassidy have pace and footy nouse to burn and Ben Reid and his brains trust will need to be wary of the pair. 

If the Magpies young guns Joe Berry, Ryan Battin, Waitai Tua, Tyler Norton and Brayden Marjanovic can stand up the Pies should have enough finals experience at senior level to win a tight one. 

After sitting comfortably in second place on the netball ladder Wangaratta have all of a sudden found themselves in a sudden death final against the dangerous Raiders. 

The Magpies failed to topple Lavington for the third time this season last week and desperately need to find the winning touch against the young and fast-scoring Raiders. 

The Raiders showed great character to come from behind and beat Myrtleford last Sunday. The goal-scoring options of Emily Stewart, Mia Lavis and Taylor Donelan are proving the key. 

Brooke Pryse, Issy Byrne and Ellie Cooper have been excellent for Wangaratta and with plenty of experienced heads they will be confident of progressing to a preliminary final. 

Yarrawonga fit and fresh will encounter a very inform Lavington who have not lost a game since round nine when Albury upset the Panthers. 

The young Panthers will get great confidence knowing the last time they played the Pigeons they won by a huge 21 goals. 

They boast an impressive four wins from five games against the top two teams this season but will find the challenge of a final against a hard-nosed and experienced Yarrawonga a new world. 

If the Pigeon’s defence can restrict Lavington goal-shooting ace Christien Oguche to under 35 goals they should be the first team through to the grand final. 

The final Rising Star Nominees for 2023 have been announced with congratulations to Lilli Howe from Albury and Will McCarthy of Wangaratta Rovers for being the nominees for August. 

The Rising Star Winner for 2023 will be announced at the Morris/Wilson Medal Night on the 18th of September at the SS&A Club.