Echuca hosts Shepparton United at Victoria Park this Saturday in a big test of its flag credentials, with the home side hoping for a statement win over the premiership contenders.
Last time, the Demons had the better of Echuca at Deakin Reserve in round 10 by 14 goals; United currently sits second with a 14-2 win-loss record.
Echuca coach Steph Vick said the next two games against United and then Mooroopna next week would set the benchmark for the side before a massive month of finals netball.
“We’re looking forward to this round and the next to benchmark ourselves before finals,” Vick said.
“United are quite strong, quite dynamic, and quite tall. We have to be at our best and we have to start off strong if we have any chance of matching it with them.”
The Murray Bombers will need to compete without star goaler Bianca Willis who is set to miss courtesy of an injury sustained in last week’s victory over Shepparton Bears.
“She injured herself last week, and we’re just doing a bit of rehab with her,” Vick said.
“It’s unfortunate because this is such a big game for us. We’ve got other combinations we’re thinking about and potentially some juniors that are going to come up and play in that space.”
United stars Jessie Barnes and coach Kara Blizzard loom as key match-ups for Echuca if they wish to maintain their three-game winning streak.
“I played interleague netball with Jessie and she’s just a dominant force in goals,” Vick said.
“Bridget Byrne is going to have one of the bigger jobs on the day trying to keep her to as little goals as possible.
“We need to put the pressure on, especially on their passing in the goal ring.”
Around the league, Rochester’s finals aspirations may be all but over but their GVL resurgence will give them something to think about over the off-season.
The young Tigerettes, with just one win from their first eight games, have sparked one of the more impressive turnarounds this season, now sitting in seventh with a 6-9-1 win-loss record prior to their clash against Shepparton Swans.
Coming off a stirring eight-goal defeat to Shepparton United last week, Rochester will be tipped to improve its record.
Meanwhile, Mooroopna will be hoping to enhance its top-four aspirations when it faces fifth-placed Euroa at Memorial Oval.