Sport
5 September, 2024
Prelim shoot-out tipped between Bombers and Panthers | HDFNL finals
Noradjuha Quantong takes on Rupanyup in Natimuk.
The Rupanyup Panthers will meet the Noradjuha Quantong Bombers at the Natimuk Showgrounds on Saturday, September 7 in the HDFNL preliminary final.
The two sides were in a tight race for a top-two placing in the closing weeks of the regular season, with Noradjuha Quantong taking the spot.
Key to their final placings was a round 17 clash between the two sides that Noradjuha Quantong emerged from victoriously, 38-36.
Rupanyup will be hoping for a reversal of fortunes to head into a grand final showdown with Laharum.
Panthers coach Jedda Heard said she believes it will be a game of shooters.
"I think it's going to be whoever's on, whoever is going to do the best in that shooting [position] is probably going to win it," she said.
Both sides are stacked with goal shooting talent.
Rupanyup's Zanaiya Bergen and Noradjuha Quantong's Shannon Couch are their respective side's major weapon.
Only Laharum's Caitlin Jones-Story has shot more than either of them.
Taylor Shelley has been the Bombers starting goal attack through her 13 games this season will likely prove herself valuable alongside Couch.
Beyond Bergen, Rupanyup's shooter stocks run deep.
Maddison Morgan and Netball South Australia premier division player Bianca Drum have regularly rotated through the ring.
Heard said having that extra depth helps lift the pressure from the shoulder of the side's usual shooters.
"I think now that we do have that extra player to fall back on, that pressure is kind of lifted," she said.
"We're just like, 'we're just going to go out and play, but if it doesn't go right, then there's always someone else who can come in and fill that position too,' I think that's given us a big advantage."
Noradjuha Quantong will also be on court in the C reserve fixture against Laharum in Saturday's preliminary finals.
Laharum's 13 & under and 15 & under sides take on Rupanyup and Kalkee respectively.
Kalkee will also be in action the senior grades, taking on the Swifts in B grade, and Natimuk United in C grade.
And, in the 17 & under game, Harrow Balmoral meets Pimpinio.