Sport
12 June, 2026
Battle between first and third headlines round
Dimboola will come up against the A Grade netball ladder leaders this Saturday.
The Horsham Saints haven't dropped a game this season, sitting one game clear of the Demons, who are second, while Dimboola is half a win behind them, in third.
Ararat and the Eagles complete the first five.
Coach of Dimboola, Ant Toet, said it was great to be in the first three teams on the ladder, but it isn't even halfway through the season as of yet.
"And we are yet to play the ladder leaders, in the Saints," she said after the last round.
As Jorja Clode, who has converted 346 goals from 386 attempts, continues to lead Horsham, Toet acknowledged the challenge ahead of her team.
While Clode does the bulk of the scoring week in, week out for the Saints, Dimboola shares the efforts, and Nicole Polycarpou (165 from 175) and Olivia Beugelaar (108 from 129) both feature in the Top 10 highest goal scorers eight rounds into the season.
Dimboola held a practice game earlier this week after the bye, in preparation for this Saturday.
"We've set some goals for the game on Saturday and are keen to work on them during the practice," said Toet.
"The Saints are on top for a reason, despite changes to their lineup for last season.
"Match-ups and hard work across the court in its entirety will be important for us on Saturday."
In regard to limiting the impact of the league's leading goal scorer, in Clode, Toet said their circle defending combinations offer a mix of close marking, elevation and height.
"Applying defensive pressure and utilising our possessions will be crucial on Saturday," concluded Toet.
In another game this round, Sarah Spicers' Eagles will be on the road to play Nhill.
While Nhill are seventh, with just the one win, four losses and a draw this season, Warrack, as earlier mentioned, are in fifth, with an even record of 3-3.
The Eagles are coming off a win last round against the Thunder, making the most of challenging conditions to bank the four points, while Ararat defeated Nhill in their last hit out, 46 to 43.
Coach of the Eagles, Sarah Spicer, said she is expecting another good hit out against Nhill.
"Nhill were extremely impressive against Ararat, so we are expecting a challenging game," said Spicer.
"Their goalies shoot very well and keep you guessing, which will be a good challenge for our defenders."
Depsite the challenge, Spicer said her side will head into the match with confidence, and back their brand of play.
"But need to ensure we keep turnovers to a minimum and apply pressure for four quarters to Nhill," she added.
Completing the eighth round this Saturday will be clashes between Ararat and Minyip Murtoa, at Minyip Recreation Reserve and the Demons and Thunder, at Rainbow Recreation Reserve.