If a sweet treat is what you crave, look no further than a Shepparton grudge match between Swans and United, with the rivalry set to be reignited at Princess Park.
But if your hunger for high-quality, fast-flowing netball is strong, perhaps you would enjoy the chef’s special.
A hearty, flavoursome and belly-filling main course, it is a match-up between undefeated sides Shepparton and Euroa at Deakin Reserve.
Euroa made light work of last year’s premier Echuca in round four’s grand final rematch, defeating the Murray Bombers by 19 goals, 49-30.
Meanwhile, Shepparton hasn’t put a foot wrong this season under new coach Stacey Thompson, with the Bears securing victories over Seymour, Rochester, Shepparton United and Mansfield in its opening four games.
Now, the real test arrives for Thompson’s side as the Bears face a Magpies team that finished in first place last season and looks likely to achieve a similar feat in 2024.
“We are looking forward to a big challenge this weekend,” Thompson said.
“Their goaling power is amazing.
“Defensively, they are really hungry for the ball and have fantastic footwork.
“(We will have to play) Consistent netball where we make the most of our opportunities and hopefully use our skillset to our advantage and make sure we are in control of the ball.”
Critics of Shepparton may point out that only one of the Bears’ four victories has come against a top-six side (United), but that doesn’t concern Thompson as she employs the age-old coaches’ expression: you can only beat what is put in front of you.
“I’m really happy with how we have started,” she said.
"Obviously, four wins is great, but like I said a couple of weeks ago, improvement every week is what we are after, and we are still doing that.
“You have to beat what is put in front of you every week and we have done a really good job of doing that.”
One Bear that Euroa coach Ellie Warnock and her side must keep an eye out for in this top-of-the-table clash is Shepparton goal shooter Kim Borger.
Borger was electric in her side’s last match against Seymour, finding the net 51 times.
For Euroa, the Magpies’ danger woman in offence will be goal attack Mia Sudomirski, who shot 44 goals during last weekend’s victory over the Murray Bombers.
In other games, Echuca will be looking to bounce back from its disappointing loss to Euroa when it hosts Rochester at Victoria Park.
Both sides will be determined to win as they try to stay in touch with the top six.
Seymour will be hoping to get back onto the winners’ list when it heads to Benalla to take on the winless Saints.
Last but not least, Kyabram is on the hunt for its first win of the season and will be looking to secure the four points when it hosts Mansfield.
However, the Eagles will be full of confidence after they secured their first win of the season against Benalla last weekend.
