Mid South East Netball Association action will resume this weekend following a local bye for the SA Country Championships in Adelaide.
Round 9 will be hosted at Hatherleigh, Mount Burr, Nangwarry and Port MacDonnell, with Robe having the bye. Hatherleigh v Tantanoola
Hatherleigh currently sits seventh on the ladder and will host fourth placed Tantanoola.
Last round the Eagles were solidly defeated by Robe, with Tantanoola proving too strong for Mount Burr.
Come Saturday, Hatherleigh’s Lara MacGregor and Elly Redden will have the challenge of locking down their defensive circle in a bid to stop supply to the Tant shooters, led by Emma Gould.
Tigers coach Leah Ousey, returning from coaching the MSE side to victory at the Country Championships, has a plethora of options when it comes to her attacking line up, with plenty of adaptability as to who will be best to deliver to the circle.
Tantanoola should take the win, but Hatherleigh is always a tough opponent at home. Mount Burr v Glencoe
Fifth placed Mount Burr will host Glencoe on Saturday, with the Murphies sitting second on the ladder.
In round 8 Glencoe had a 20 goal victory over Port MacDonnell, while the Mozzies went down by 13 to the Tigers.
The Murphies’ tough as nails midcourt of Ashlea Pfitzner and Donna Jaeschke are renowned for their patience in working the ball to proficient goalies Chantelle Cocks and Jenna Paproth, ensuring the scoreline steadily ticks over.
Meanwhile, Mount Burr has its own reliable avenue to goals through Ella Easterby who provides plenty of drive and great delivery to shooter Maddy Haggett.
Despite the Mozzies holding the home court advantage, Glencoe should take the win in what will be a great tussle. Nangwarry v Kalangadoo
Kalangadoo sits top of the ladder only having suffered the one loss, while winless Nangwarry is languishing at the bottom of the table.
The Pies should be extra fresh after having a double bye, despite several of their stars shining at the Country Championships.
The young Nangwarry attack of Ebony Wurst and Sheridan Sakkers will be up against some of the best defenders in the business, while at the other end of the court the battle of the tall timber in the Saints’ Kayla Gray and the Pies’ Ebony McDiarmid will be good to watch.
The Mapgies should not have too much trouble taking the win, but Nangwarry is sure to put up a fight. Port MacDonnell v Kongorong
Port MacDonnell sits sixth on the ladder and will host the Hawks who have only just registered their first win of the season over cellar dwellers Nangwarry.
The Hawks will be flying high after their win last round, while the Demons are coming off a 20 goal loss at the hands of Glencoe.
This round the defensive pressure of Kongorong’s Rach Perry and Emily Lightbody will prove pivotal when it comes to shutting down the Demons’ dynamic shooters.
The Bay’s defensive circle of Emily Thompson and Alana Berkefeld are as tough as they come and will work to stop any free flow in the Hawks’ circle.
Port Mac will take the win easily, leaving the Hawks still searching for their second win of the season.
