MNL | Magpies ready to fly against Tongala

By Bransen Gibson

Aug 25, 2022

Tight contest: Moama's Stephanie Watson, middle, blocked by two Tongala defenders when the two sides met earlier this season. Photo: Steve Huntley

Finals are finally here in the Murray Netball League and two familiar foes are set to go head-to-head in a must-win elimination contest this weekend.

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Moama and Tongala will face off for the third time this season when they meet on the court at Congupna Recreation Reserve on Sunday, with the Magpies hoping to continue their winning trend.

With two wins over the Blues under their belt this season, Pies coach Lisa Drysdale said that would hold her side in good stead heading into the clash.

“We probably have a slight edge after beating them twice this year. That is something we won’t rely on, but something we will gain confidence out of,” Drysdale said.

“We match up well against Tonny. It has been close on both occasions, so I don’t think it is going to be a blowout by any means.”

But despite having faced the Blues twice, Drysdale said she thought her side had more in the tank.

“After previous experience we have seen what they have got, but I still don’t think that they have seen us at full strength,” she said.

“I still think we have a little bit more that we haven’t shown them, and I think that is a good edge to have.”

Crucially for Moama, Drysdale said the Pies would be at full strength, with Sienna Agg and Liv Taverna set to return having both overcome knee injuries, a huge boost heading into the must-win clash.

“We are fully ready to go. We are back to having a full squad and we are very, very excited,” she said.

“It’s probably the first time it has happened all year — we went from nine players down to five and we have gone back up to nine again, so we are rapt to have a full team on the training track.”

One of the key battles on the court will take place in Tongala’s attacking third, with gun goaler Milly Brock set to go head-to-head with ace defender Jodie Lake.

Drysdale said her side would have plans in place to try to limit Brock’s impact on the contest.

“Defensively down the court we will be putting in a few more structures,” she said. “We don’t want to have to rely on Jodie stopping the ball getting to Milly, because that’s a lot of pressure on her.

“We would like to have more control over where we push Tonny players to, and their options feeding into Millie.”

The Pies have topped the Blues in both of their previous meetings, claiming a 52-45 win in round five and a thrilling one-goal victory in July.

The game will tip off at 1.30pm on Sunday at Congupna Recreation Reserve.