Round 1- Preview - part 2
The second part the round ten split round in the SS&A OMFNL will be completed this weekend with one game on Saturday and another Sunday.
Before we take a look at the matches there has been plenty else happening around the league with the OM netball rep side having a successful trip to Melbourne last Sunday.
The senior team coached by Rhi Harris made it to the grand final losing in an absolute thriller by one goal to Melbourne-based Banyule 13-12 at the State Netball Centre.
To make the grand final The O and M led superbly by skipper Hannah Symes had to survive a nail-biting semi-final win in extra time over the Hampden league.
The O and M made a shaky start to the day losing its first two matches before fighting back to win its next nine in a row to qualify for just its second grand final in twelve years.
Meanwhile, two of the best contemporary players Matt Fowler and Dan Leslie will be inducted into the OMFNL Hall of Fame on July 29.
Hall of Fame chairman Ron Montgomery made the announcement in Albury on Thursday with Leslie the games record holder at North Albury and Fowler the same honour at Albury.
The league conduct a general bye for the round on July 29 with tickets available for the event via the OMFNL office or any of the clubs.
One of the games of the season will unfold on Sunday when Wangaratta host old rivals Wangaratta Rovers with a top-three position on offer for the winner.
The round one clash on Good Friday was a cracker with the Rovers coming from behind to snatch a late victory – the return bout should be just as good.
Both sides named very strong teams on Thursday evening with the Magpies getting coach Ben Reid back along with Brad Melville, Matt Grossman, and Hunter Goschling.
Wangaratta Rovers have named VFL players Nathan Cooper (Werribee) and Ryan Hebron (GWS) for Sunday’s local derby against Wangaratta.
The fierce rivals find themselves in different positions compared to the first month of football with Rovers having won its first three games now under pressure to play finals.
Wangaratta who defeated Yarrawonga in last year’s grand final lost their first three games but since then have been unbeaten and inside the top three.
Lavington with its season on the line will be at home to Myrtleford on Saturday with the scenario very simple – win and finals are still a reality.
The Saints who only have a home win against Rovers to show for its season will go into the game confident they can make it win number two.
Myrtleford will need big games from Simon Curtis against his old club and key forwards Kyle Winter-Irving and Ryley Sharp.
The Panther’s most recent outing was impressive – going down to Albury by just one point, while the Rovers lost a close one to Wodonga Raiders.
Lavington has premiership skipper Luke Garland back from injury and has recalled rugged utility Aiden Cook and midfielder Andrew Yates for the must-win game.
A mouthwatering clash between 4th placed Myrtleford and 5th placed Lavington is the highlight of the netball matches in what could be an elimination final preview.
Lavington despite being fifth has shown with a full side they can beat anyone in the competition, while the Saints have also pushed all sides with the exception of Yarrawonga.
Wangaratta has the chance to lock away the double chance and outright second place when they take on last-placed Wangaratta Rovers.
The Magpies are getting close to its strongest side on the court which they will need to challenge the unbeaten Pigeons, the Rovers will have confidence after its first win in its last outing.
