WIMMERA Netball Association president Sharon Fedke believes Minyip-Murtoa could be the dark horse for this year’s A Grade flag.
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Three rounds remain after the second half of round 13 this week, but the competition’s top five could come down to the final game of the season, with seven of eight teams still in contention for finals action.
Warrack Eagles kept up their impressive form with a 52-30 win against Horsham Saints on Saturday, and sit comfortably in second spot.
The Burras – who this week face the undefeated Horsham Demons – are four points clear of Dimboola in third. The Roos were never headed in their 53-43 win against Stawell and remain in fourth position.
The Warriors are fifth but Ararat is hot on their heels and could sneak into the five with a win against Nhill on Saturday.
Fedke said the finals series was shaping as a cracker.
“It is wonderful to see Dimboola back up there again after their consistent season in 2014, and Minyip-Murtoa having a breakout season after many years in the wilderness,” she said.
“I don't think you can go past Horsham Demons as favourites to take out the flag again this year – they have been consistent all year and have strength right across the board.
“But if Minyip-Murtoa can play four consistent quarters, they could be a threat to any team.”
Fedke said the competition had been more even this season than previous years.
“There have been many games this year where the winning margin was less than five goals and the game could have gone either way,” she said.
“Having a more even competition makes for more interesting games, and ultimately keeps players keen to play in our league.
“Every club in our league will be represented in the finals, and I think that is an accomplishment in itself and something our league can be proud of.”
Fedke said the competition overall was in good shape this year at both senior and junior levels.
“Our open Regional State League team made the semi-finals and our 17 and under team won the Central Highlands competition, then went on to compete admirably in the Champions Challenge in Melbourne,” she said.
“Our 13 and under and 17 and under representative teams were runners-up at the zone championships and then competed at the state championships, and our 15 and under team just missed out on making the state championships.
“To top it off, the Net Set Go programs the clubs run have an abundance of kids signing up to participate, which shows our sport continues to grow and kids are keen to play.”
Wimmera Netball Association
Round 13 results
A Grade
Warrack Eagles 52 d Horsham Saints 30: Best, Warrack Eagles, S. Schultz, K. Schultz; Horsham Saints, S. Reinheimer, M. O'Connor.
Dimboola 61 d Stawell 36: Best, Dimboola, B. Barber, A. Toet; Stawell, K. Matthews, J. Clarkson.
Horsham, bye; Minyip-Murtoa, bye; Ararat, bye; Nhill, bye.
Ladder
Team P W L D For Ag % Pts
HORSHAM 12 12 0 0 788 328 240.24 48
W' EAGLES 13 12 1 0 679 369 184.01 48
MIN-MURT 12 8 4 0 473 381 124.15 32
DIMBOOLA 13 7 6 0 550 589 93.38 28
STAWELL 13 5 8 0 517 698 74.07 20
Ararat 12 4 8 0 385 543 70.90 16
Hsm Saints 13 2 11 0 468 646 72.45 8
Nhill 12 0 12 0 356 662 53.78 0
B Grade
Warrack Eagles 53 d Horsham Saints 45: Best, Warrack Eagles, P. Winsall, C. Lindsay; Horsham Saints, K. Ticchi, E. Barnett.
Stawell 62 d Dimboola 38: Best, not supplied.
Horsham, bye; Minyip-Murtoa, bye; Ararat, bye; Nhill, bye.
Ladder
Team P W L D For Ag % Pts
STAWELL 13 11 1 1 668 426 156.81 46
HORSHAM 12 10 2 0 592 407 145.45 40
MIN-MURT 12 8 4 0 454 396 114.65 32
DIMBOOLA 13 7 5 1 635 530 119.81 30
W' EAGLES 13 6 7 0 536 493 108.72 24
Hsm Saints 13 5 8 0 504 614 82.08 20
Ararat 12 2 10 0 445 545 81.65 8
Nhill 12 0 12 0 290 713 40.67 0
C Grade
Warrack Eagles 33 d Horsham Saints 29: Best, Warrack Eagles, L. Arnold-Wardle, M. Clayton; Horsham Saints, J. Breuer, T. Bryan.
Stawell 30 d Dimboola 22: Best, Stawell, C. Thomas; A. Gooden; Dimboola, K. Zivkovic, T. Lehmann.
Horsham, bye; Minyip-Murtoa, bye; Ararat, bye; Nhill, bye.
Ladder
Team P W L D For Ag % Pts
STAWELL 13 13 0 0 495 294 168.37 52
HORSHAM 12 9 3 0 473 252 187.70 36
HSM SAINTS 13 9 4 0 451 348 129.60 36
W' EAGLES 13 8 5 0 368 315 116.83 32
MIN-MURT 12 3 7 2 264 359 73.54 16
Dimboola 13 3 9 1 316 363 87.05 14
Ararat 12 2 9 1 308 412 74.76 10
Nhill 12 1 11 0 199 531 37.48 4
17 & Under
Horsham Saints 45 d Warrack Eagles 27: Best, Horsham Saints, B. Nitschke, A. Hobbs; Warrack Eagles, A. Sleep, K. Stewart.
Dimboola 61 d Stawell 36: Best, Dimboola, J. Schwarz, R. Kuhne; Stawell, D. Humphrey, N. Reading.
Horsham, bye; Minyip-Murtoa, bye; Ararat, bye; Nhill, bye.
Ladder
Team P W L D For Ag % Pts
HORSHAM 12 12 0 0 653 255 256.08 48
DIMBOOLA 13 9 4 0 595 412 144.42 36
ARARAT 12 9 3 0 482 363 132.78 36
HSM SAINTS 13 9 4 0 547 435 125.75 36
STAWELL 13 4 9 0 392 477 82.18 16
W' Eagles 13 2 9 2 293 478 61.30 12
Nhill 12 2 9 1 351 544 64.52 10
Min-Murt 12 1 10 1 235 584 40.24 6
15 and Under A
Horsham Saints 50 d Warrack Eagles 21: Best, Horsham Saints, M. Caris, L. Bond; Warrack Eagles, L. Penny, E. Tarran.
Stawell 43 d Dimboola 23: Best, Stawell, D. Walker, M. Barber; Dimboola, T. Kuhne, K. Wolthuis.
Horsham, bye; Minyip-Murtoa, bye; Ararat, bye; Nhill, bye.
Ladder
Team P W L D For Ag % Pts
HORSHAM 12 12 0 0 497 210 236.67 48
HSM SAINTS 13 11 2 0 572 274 208.76 44
ARARAT 12 8 4 0 463 278 166.55 32
W' EAGLES 13 7 6 0 362 377 96.02 28
MIN-MURT 12 5 7 0 309 328 94.21 20
Stawell 13 4 9 0 263 448 58.71 16
Nhill 12 3 9 0 270 417 64.75 12
Dimboola 13 0 13 0 170 574 29.62 0
15 and Under B
Results not supplied.
Ladder
Team P W L D B For Ag % Pts
HORSHAM 9 9 0 0 3 378 106 356.60 48
HSM SAINTS 9 6 3 0 3 290 195 148.72 36
NHILL 8 5 3 0 4 221 169 130.77 36
ARARAT 9 4 5 0 3 231 268 86.19 28
STAWELL 9 1 7 1 3 117 269 43.49 18
Min-Murt 8 0 7 1 4 91 321 28.35 18
13 and Under
Horsham Saints 30 d Warrack Eagles 21: Best, Horsham Saints, L. Olver, E. Burgess; Warrack Eagles, M, Stewart, D. Wardle.
Stawell 38 d Dimboola 19: Best, Stawell, N Hateley, I. Simmons; Dimboola, S. Glover, M. Laverty.
Ladder
Team P W L D For Ag % Pts
STAWELL 13 12 1 0 610 197 309.64 48
ARARAT 12 10 2 0 553 212 260.85 40
DIMBOOLA 13 10 3 0 474 199 238.19 40
HSM SAINTS 13 8 5 0 381 283 134.63 32
W' EAGLES 13 4 9 0 270 365 73.97 16
Horsham 12 4 8 0 229 344 66.57 16
Nhill 12 2 10 0 92 483 19.05 8
Min-Murt 12 0 12 0 70 596 11.74 0