Sport
15 August, 2024
Every goal matters as Bombers and Panthers race for second | HDFNL round 18
Rupanyup and Noradjuha Quantong duel for second place.
With victory against the Rupanyup Panthers in round 17 of the HDFNL, the Noradjuha Quantong Bombers took its hopes of a top two finish, and a second chance in finals, to the final round of the HDFNL's regular season.
As it stands, the Bombers have the advantage, although if Rupanyup had scored four more goals this season, they would be ahead on the ladder.
So, as both sides take to the court as favourites in round 18 on Saturday, August 17, every goal will matter.
Rupanyup takes on Harrow Balmoral at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve.
The Southern Roos have only claimed one win this season, but the side shown improvement on court as the season has rolled on.
Taking on Laharum in round 17, Harrow Balmoral kept pace with the Demons through the game's early phases and kept the contest tight in the third quarter.
The last time the Panthers met the Roos, Rupanyup won 56-37.
Meanwhile, Noradjuha Quantong takes on Pimpinio at the Pimpinio Recreation Reserve.
The last time the Bombers and Tigers clashed, Noradjuha Quantong won 53-29.
The Bombers will have the added difficulty of taking on the Tigers defensive duo of Holly Ross and Steph Runciman.
The pair have been heralded all season by oppositions as difficult combination to beat.
The Bombers' Shannon Couch and Taylor Shelley will likely need to be on form to maximise the team's result.
With a bye in round 18, Kaniva Leeor United's regular season is done, and while Stawell's Swifts have a mathematical path to robbing the Cougars of a finals berth, the Baggies poor points percentage will almost certainly count them out.
Taking on Natimuk United in the final round, even if the Swifts keep the Rams scoreless, the black, white and teal still needs to score 60 goals to pass KLU on the ladder.
The last time the two teams met, the Swifts claimed a narrow win 39-35, and if the Rams match is scoring success from that game, the Baggies need ton beat them with at least 94 goals.
The Rams have endured a difficult 2024 season, often languishing amongst the lower rungs of the ladder, but the side comes into this fixture off the back of two straight wins and a bye.
One of those wins came against the finals-bound Edenhope Apsley Saints.
In round 18, Edenhope Apsley will look to recapture its form, but will have a tough job doing so against the undefeated Laharum as the Demons ready themselves for a deep finals run.
"I think both teams will be looking to have a good, strong game," said Laharum's A grade netball coach Bec McIntyre.
"To have four quarters of good quality, strong netball will be really beneficial for us going into finals."
And, Kalkee hosts Taylors Lake at Kalkee Recreation Reserve.