You could argue it was best for the Murray Bombers to have a loss on the board early in the season, get a shock into the system and make them think about what they can improve on as the season goes on.
There is no doubt for us coach Gina Pearson has identified a few areas of improvement — after all, she finds ways to make her side better after wins as well — so we look forward to seeing what they do differently this week.
They are taking on the benchmark of the competition this week — an undefeated Shepp United.
A win and Echuca are back in the box seat as the pacesetters.
A loss and we will know more about where the Bombers need to improve.
We think the Bombers are a real shot at getting the win here.
■ ECHUCA UNITED has been handing out beltings for fun in recent weeks in the Murray Netball League and that looks set to continue against Katandra.
The Eagles are flying high at the moment and it doesn’t look like they will be brought back down to earth any time soon.
At the attacking end, they are in damaging form converting plenty of their chances and we expect them to do that again this weekend.
We’re tipping them for a massive 45-goal win.
■ MOAMA went into the interleague break at 6-0, in what many (well, us anyway) have described as the least surprising moment of the season so far.
But a task awaits them this week as they look to extend their season to 7-0.
Fourth-placed Mulwala is probably the side’s biggest challenge since it last played United.
It’s probably going to be another win for the Mowers, but a hard contest isn’t going to do them any harm.
If anything, it’s probably going to be good for them.
■ TONGALA is sitting in a good position at 3-3 and inside the top eight of the competition.
And its battle this week is going to be a pretty evenly matched one.
The Blues have eighth-placed Cobram, a side who has played pretty good netball at stages throughout the year.
Tonny have some wins this season, but they haven’t delivered them against really good quality opposition.
A win would be big in terms of establishing them as a genuine top eight side, not just one who is making up the numbers.
■ LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER has positioned itself nicely for a Heathcote District Netball League finals push this season and it will find out exactly where it sits this weekend against Colbinabbin.
If results are anything to go by, the Bombers may struggle in this one but there is no saying that they can’t spring an upset.
Despite that feeling, we’re expecting them to fall to their third loss of the season — but there will still be plenty of positives to take from the game.
■ LBU is on struggle street in 2019 and it doesn’t appear as if the road ahead is about to get any easier.
This weekend the Cats travel to take on a Mount Pleasant side who have been up and down in their own results but they should have enough quality to get the job done at home.
Although, the interleague break may have done LBU a world of good as they reassessed their goals.
We’re hoping they produce an improved performance but it won’t be enough.
■ MATHOURA was openly disappointed with its efforts against Blighty last weekend in the Picola and District Netball League but the Timbercutters are a strong chance of getting back on track on Saturday.
The Timbercutters are preparing to host a Berrigan side who have claimed just one victory so far in 2019.
If the home side can bring their best, it will go a long way to securing the four points and we’re tipping them to do that.
