Round 2 Preview
Beautiful Autumn weather is expected for round six of the SS&A OMFNL which is also a massive part of Community Umpiring Week so show your love for our wonderful officials.
The best way to assess an umpire’s impact on a game is as an independent observer – you probably won’t even know they are there.
One of the biggest announcements this week was the winners of the SS&A OMFNL April Rising Star Awards for both Netball and Football.
The other big news was the announcement that the Lavington Sportsground will host the OMFNL grand final for the next three years.
Not to be upstaged by her three brothers playing seniors for Wangaratta Rovers and the other brother starring for Adelaide Crows – Molly Murray was named the April Netball winner.
Continuing the rich family involvement and contribution to the Myrtleford FNC by the McPherson family was Ashton McPherson being announced as the Football winner.
A couple of very interesting contests coming up on the courts and the fields with ladder leaders Wodonga having the bye after five straight wins.
Wangaratta Rovers and Albury are both coming off losses in their most recent outings with the winner this Saturday getting a real good look at a top-three finish.
Albury has named Jacob Conlan after missing last week with an injury, however their best from last week George Horlin-Smith has not been selected.
Will Nolan makes his return from his Good Friday injury in what is a generally very settled Hawks lineup that has seen them win three of their four matches under Sam Murray.
Can North Albury make it two in a row against near neighbours Lavington? Confidence and optimism is sky high out of Bunton Park after last week’s win over the Raiders.
Sam Azzi and Jackson Weideman were huge last week, while the Gardiner brothers and the Wagga quartet are also making huge contributions.
The Panthers like North Albury are sitting on just the one win – Lavington were impressive in the narrow loss to Yarrawonga last week and will be hard to roll at home.
Myrtleford will be buoyed by the huge news that former coach Jake Sharp will make his senior return after a knee injury from last season.
That alone should be enough to add a few goals onto the Saint’s score that will be badly needed against the inform and potent Pigeons.
Leigh Williams leads the Doug Strang goalkicking race and the Saints defence will have their hands full containing him as well as Ned Pendergast and Nick Fothergill.
Yarrawonga midfield and running defenders are its most lethal weapon with Mark Whiley, Willie Wheeler, Cam Wilson, and Bailey Fraunfelder being absolute ball magnets.
The Saints have no shortage of class around the stoppage with Mitch Dalbosco, Simon Curtis, Elijah Wales, and Brody Ricardi all in good form.
Wodonga Raiders will unveil its brand-new electronic scoreboard at Birallee Park when they host the inform Wangaratta who found its mojo against the Tigers last week.
Brad Melville is back with Richmond VFL after starring last week for the Magpies – their enormous depth will ensure they make it back-to-back wins.
Raiders boom recruit Cam Ellis-Yolmen has not been selected after struggling with an injury last week against North Albury. Tagger Will McCarty comes into the team.
The match of the season will be on offer at Myrtleford when the two unbeaten netball teams Yarrawonga and Myrtleford go head-to-head in a genuine blockbuster.
The Pigeons are a game clear with the extra match but Myrtleford has a huge 46% advantage, this game will tell so much more about the Saint’s premiership ambitions.
Lavington 5th who impressed at Yarrawonga last week has a chance to put a gap between themselves and opponents 6th placed North Albury.
Goal-shooting sensation Christine Oguche looms as the Hopper’s biggest obstacle as well as Maddi Lloyd and Steff Clancy.
Albury and Wangaratta Rovers could be a thriller with the Rovers at home a genuine chance to record its first victory against the Tigers.
A Lavington win and an Albury loss could well see the netball top five pretty much decided after six rounds – the Tigers have so much at stake to keep its season alive.
Third-placed Wangaratta and fourth-placed Raiders should turn on a ripping contest with Magpies utility Brooke Pryse up against her old side.
The Raiders goal shooters Emily Stewart and Taylor Donelan hold the key if the Raiders are to cause the upset – Georgia Clark in goal should see a Wangaratta victory.
