Netball
25 April, 2025
Swifts, Lakers look to continue momentum
With top-of-the-table Rupanyup enjoying a week off, a clash between second and third will attract plenty of attention in the HDFNL A-grade netball scene.
The Swifts and Taylors Lake are set for a monumental clash, with both sides undefeated after two rounds.
The match is poised to be a battle of wills, with one side about to experience its first loss in 2025.
Tayla Eltze leads the Lakers front court with 45 goals in wins against Harrow Balmoral and Pimpinio.
At the other end of the court, Rebbekkah Seeary leads the Swifts with 67 goals in its victories against Natimuk United and Edenhope Apsley.
Zoe Gray and Edwina Flakemore are expected to line up against Eltze and Seeary from the first whistle.
Fourth-placed Laharum hosts the winless Pimpinio at Cameron Oval with four premiership points putting the defending premiers to at least second place.
Demons front-court duo Maddi Iredell (64 goals) and Courtney Taylor (30) have combined for almost 100 goals this season and will be looking to add to the tally on Saturday.
Ava Fitzgerald will lead a young Tigers defence from goalkeeper, with Ada Binney or Jayde Ellis possibly lining up against Iredell.
Kalkee, fresh from a bye, would be champing at the bit to return to the court after giving Laharum a challenge in round one.
In her third season at the top level, Jarrah Martin led the Kee with 30 goals against the formidable Demons outfit; however, she would look to improve her 65% accuracy rate.
Kalkee hosts Harrow Balmoral, who are yet to win a game in 2025; one shining light is the accurate shooting of Brittany Burns (36 goals at 78%) and Emily Langley (32 at 73%).
Round three will kick off with the Saints taking on rivals Kaniva Leeor United on Anzac Day.
Edenhope Apsley could have been undefeated after two rounds if not for a one-goal loss to the Swifts in round two.
Coach Lavina Fox leads the Saints with 64 goals (71%), second on the tally board behind Panthers' star Zanaiya Bergen's 68 goals (65%).
Meanwhile, the Cougars sit on the bottom of the ladder following a tough loss to Rupanyup before going down in a closer game against Natimuk United.
Melody Maddern has stood tall for Kaniva Leeor in defence and is expected to line up against Fox.
Finally, Noradjuha Quantong is keen to secure its first premiership points of 2025 after a slow start.
The Bombers round one bye was followed by a 54-29 loss to Rupanyup at home.
The 2024 preliminary finalist takes on a buoyant Rams side that secured its first win in round two against the Cougars.
Emma Uebergang was calm up front, shooting 32 goals (85%) in Natimuk United's win.