Sport
15 August, 2024
Southern Mallee not taking game against Stawell lightly | WFNL round 17
The match at Central Park is close to an elimination final.
WFNL
Netball
Southern Mallee Thunder co-coach Steph Thomson knows exactly what is on the line when her side faces Stawell in round 17 of the WFNL on Saturday, August 17.
The Thunder, Warriors, and Burras all have 24 competition points, but Southern Mallee's superior percentage puts them in fifth place.
"Everyone's very aware we have to win if we're going to make the five," Thomson said.
"We're not taking this game lightly at all in any way."
The Thunder enter the must-win contest off the back of wins against top-five sides Dimboola and Nhill.
"We had a really good conversation [before the Dimboola game] about where we were as a team because we weren't playing our best netball," she said.
"It really showed [in those games] that we can compete against some of those top sides; it was a really good confidence boost for everyone."
Thomson believes the group's consistency has proved the difference in its recent run of form.
"There's still ebbs and flows within games, but we didn't lose it completely when it got close, and we were able to hold up to some of the pressure that was previously on us before," Thomson said.
"Last week, our defence end was able to get a lot of intercepts, and we're able to move the ball quickly down [the court] and convert it into goals."
Looking at the Warriors, she believes it will take another four-quarter effort to get the job done.
"Every 15 minutes is a new [start]; we reset and go again. [we have to] be really present and play our game and control the ball as much as we can because when we have it, we can do good things and really enjoy it as well," she said.
Thomson highlighted Jemma Clarkson and Lisa Considine as players they must contain.
"She [Considine] offers a lot in the defensive end, and she probably takes the lead about moving the ball out of defence," Thomson said.
"They've got key players, but I think we'll be a good matchup against them.
"It will just but [who is] the better team on the day because we're both fighting for the same spot."
The Warriors return to Central Park after a nine-goal win against Warrack in round 16.
Ayva Mitchell shot 25 goals; Ebony Summers' 19 took her to an even 300 for the season.
Clarkson and Meg Walker were named in the best.
In other matches, Dimboola hosts the Horsham Saints in another top-five clash.
Horsham returns from the bye to welcome Warrack to City Oval.
While Nhill faces Ararat at Davis Park.