Sport
8 August, 2024
Noradjuha Quantong meets Rupanyup as both sides vie for second | HDFNL R17
Noradjuha Quantong hosts Rupanyup in round 17 of the HDFNL.
The Rupanyup Panthers and the Noradjuha Quantong Bombers are set to meet for a critical clash in round 17 of the HDFNL on Saturday, August 10.
Almost an early finals contest, Rupanyup and Noradjuha Quantong find themselves in a tight battle for second place on the HDFNL ladder, and a second chance during finals.
Currently with the advantage, a win is all the Panthers need to wrap up the placing with one round still to come.
But, victory for the Bombers will take this race to the final round of the season.
And, with a points percentage of less than one, every goal could matter for both sides.
"We're excited to see how we sit against them," said Noradjuha Quantong's A grade netball coach Fiona Rowe.
Noradjuha Quantong comes into the game refreshed after the round 16 bye, but before that picked a momentum grabbing win against the Swifts.
While Rupanyup hasn't dropped a game in four weeks.
Both teams a similarly built on court, the battle between Meg Cashin and Holly Nuske will be full of energy.
Rupanyup's defenders will be keen to find a way of limiting the Bombers towering shooters, Shannon Couch and Taylor Shelley.
While the Panthers' own shooter, Zanaiya Bergen is sure to make a lot of trouble for the Bombers defenders Yolande Molineaux and Brooke Pay.
Rupanyup and Noradjuha Quantong last met in round six of the HDFNL, where the Panthers' netballers emerged with a 10-goal win on their home court.
Also a mathematical chance of factoring into the race for sixth place in the HDFNL is Kalkee.
The Kees sit eight points behind Rupanyup and four behind Noradjuha Quantong, and would need two wins from two to close out the season as well as three other results to fall the right way.
If Rupanyup beats Noradjuha Quantong in round 17, the best Kalkee can hope for is third.
Even if the Bombers beat Rupanyup, Kalkee needs to see both sides drop games in the final round.
And, then it still comes down to points percentage, with Kalkee needing to make up a little ground to force any change.
But, Kalkee's focus will first have to be on Kaniva Leeor United, who the side travels to meet at Kaniva Recreation Reserve in round 17.
But, KLU also has reason to not hold back on the weekend.
With a final round bye, this match is effectively KLU's final round, and their last chance to grab momentum before the finals series kicks off.
KLU also finds itself in a tough position in the fight for the top six, because if the Swifts can muster a strong finish to the season, the black, white and teal could nab the Cougars' finals placing.
The Swifts would need KLU to lose to Kalkee, and would need to claim its own wins against both remaining opponents, but the finals route is there for the side.
The tougher of those remaining opponents will hit the Swifts first, with the side to battle Edenhope Apsley at Edenhope Recreation Reserve.
When the two sides met in round six, Edenhope Apsley left with a seven-goal win.
Also in round 17, Taylors Lake hosts Pimpinio at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve.
And, the ladder-leading Laharum takes on last placed Harrow Balmoral at Harrow Reserve.