From the Border Mail
NORTH Albury shooter Jess Fisher-Curnow will be looking to continue her lethal accuracy when the Hoppers take on Wangaratta at Bunton Park on Saturday.
Fisher-Curnow missed only three shots in the team’s recent draw against Yarrawonga under extreme pressure and again shapes as a key player in this contest.
Wangaratta defenders Olivia Lindsay and Katie Dean have been working together for a number of years now and will rely on each other to help limit the influence of the Hoppers’ young star.
For the Pies to be in the mix, they need a shooting blitz from Emma Witham.
And for that to happen, Xanthes Dewez and Jess Allen need to dominate in getting the ball into attack.
Even still, North Albury defenders Ashton Cary and Eloise Maddox should be up for the challenge.
VERDICT: North Albury by 8 goals.
THE Hawks go in favourites but look set to be pushed all the way by the Roos.
Over the past two seasons, Corowa-Rutherglen has been working with a young talented group which has developed into a strong competitive team at this level.
They continue to improve and could spring an upset here.
Rovers, meanwhile, have been at the top of the table over recent years but look to be missing plenty of defensive strength this year.
Shooting ace Jess Clarke and centre Stacey Emms remain the backbone of the line up and will keep the Roos’ defence busy all game.
The battle between Emms and Corowa-Rutherglen star Beck Didier in the centre shapes as a cracker.
VERDICT: Wangaratta Rovers by 3 goals.
THE Pigeons have eased their way out of the blocks but should have little trouble scoring a comfortable win here.
At home, the four-time reigning premier has far too much class and experience for the new-look Raiders.
Bridget Cassar will dominate the attacking circle for Yarrawonga and will receive plenty of help from the likes of Angela Tyrell and Kaitlyn Cummins.
With Laura Bourke, Sarah Wollington and Abbey Jones feeding the ball on a regular basis, the Pigeons should have no trouble getting the job done here.
VERDICT: Yarrawonga by 20 goals.
UP in the hills, Myrtleford is every chance of giving the Panthers a run for their money.
Despite shaping up as a premiership contender, Lavington needs to be at its best to shake off the traditionally troublesome Saints.
Having said that, Myrtleford has been far from impressive in its start to the season and needs to lift to be any chance of stunning the Panthers.
Last week’s thumping of the Raiders should give the Saints confidence and achance to iron out any tactical problems from week one.
Paige Zamperoni’s hard work in the centre and Brodie Clarke’s versatility to fill the wing defence position enables Jaclyn McAlpine to move to her favoured position at wing attack and give the Saints a strong centre court combination.
But they will have to play out of their skin to overcome Emily Browne, Ainslee O’Connell and Ange Demamiel in the Panthers’ mid-court.
VERDICT: Lavington by 5 goals.
ALBURY star Adelle Gormly faces the tough ask of containing league champion Bec Cameron this Saturday.
Both teams had solid wins last round and both will fancy their chances of repeating the dose here.
As always, the Bulldogs will rely heavily on Cameron to get the job done.
She score 41 of Wodonga’s 45 goals last week.
Liona Edwards and Justine Willis also look set to battle out a key one on one contest throughout the game.
Those match-up’s, along with the battle in Albury’s attacking circle, will decide the outcome.
VERDICT: Wodonga by 2 goals.
