The Magpies and Blues have both locked in their spots in the top six after wins on the weekend, with the two sides now set to face off at Tongala Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
It will be the second time Moama and Tongala have met on the netball court this season after the Magpies snagged a 52-45 win back in round six. Tongala sits in fourth spot on the ladder, just ahead of Moama in fifth.
Moama coach Lisa Drysdale said she was anticipating a tough clash against a strong Tongala side this weekend.
“They have been playing some great netball. I think they are going to come out firing,” Drysdale said.
“I think it will be a similar format to the last game we played — I think it will come down to what changes each team makes as to who can break away and get on top.
“I know they have a new youngster in Gemma Brennan — she didn’t play the last time we faced them, so she will be something new to adapt to.”
Similarly, Tongala coach Paige Wade said her side would be ready for a big game against the Pies, with some new faces also set to feature in the Moama line-up.
“Moama are really consistent, they are quite an experienced team so it will be a good game,” Wade said.
“They have a couple of new girls that we haven’t seen, but apart from that, we know that they will put a good game forward so we will have to be at our best.”
One of the key match ups will see Moama goal keeper Jodie Lake line up against Tongala goaler Millie Brock.
The pair are two of the league’s best at their respective positions, something that was confirmed by their selection in the Murray League’s interleague squad, and they will take part in the state championships on Sunday.
Both sides are set to be at full strength, with both Moama and Tongala likely to field the same starting seven as last week.
Wade said she was hoping her side could learn some lessons from its seven-goal loss to Moama earlier this season.
“I think last time our team held with them really well for a half, then we let them slip away,” she said.
“It will be about maintaining the same pressure for the full four quarters to try and get the job done.”
Tongala has had a strong year but is yet to claim a win against one of the Murray League’s top-five teams, despite some great performances in those games.
With finals just around the corner, Wade said a triumph over the Pies would give her side a huge boost heading into the post season.
“It would be huge,” Wade said.
“We have maintained the whole time that we have been consistent and we have beaten all the teams that we should beat, but some of those top teams, we haven’t beaten many of them.
“It would be absolutely crucial for the young girls to know that they are right up there.”
For Moama, Drysdale said she was hoping her side could keep up their strong run of form in recent weeks.
“We have had such a fluctuating year, I would just like to keep the consistency that we have had through the Deni and Cobram games and have that shine through and play some really good netball,” Drysdale said.
Both Tongala and Moama have two games each remaining against sides in the top five on the ladder — they each play each other, with the Magpies to face off against Nathalia and the Blues still to do battle against Rumbalara.
Both coaches agreed that the games against fellow premiership contenders should hold them in good stead once the finals kick off next month.
“We are lucky, we have a couple of strong games on the run home,“ Drysdale said.
“Having strong games helps you stay on top of things and not become complacent with your court plays and not let your structures drop off.”
Wade offered a similar sentiment.
“Absolutely, it is good to have tough games leading into finals. We’ll be looking forward to having a look and seeing how we shape up against all these teams,” Wade said.
“Knowing that we are in the finals is good, but we are still trying really hard to finish in that third spot as opposed to fourth or fifth.
“We are probably the underdogs in most of these games so we will play with nothing to lose and see how we go.”
It is also set to be a big clash in the curtain raiser to A-grade, with the Murray League’s top two B-grade teams set to face off.
Moama sits in top spot with a perfect 14-0 win-loss record this season, just ahead of Tongala.
The Blues have lost just one game so far this season – a 50-36 defeat at the hands of Moama back in round six.
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