By David Nagel
We take a close look at the two semi-finals this weekend, with Inverloch-Kongwak and Dalyston looking for grand final qualification, while local rivals Cora Lynn and Nar Nar Goon go head-to-head in a battle for survival.
SECOND SEMI-FINAL
INVERLOCH-KONGWAK (1) V DALYSTON (2)
Saturday at Nar Nar Goon
MEETINGS IN 2024
R5 – Dalyston 32 def by Inverloch-Kongwak 42
R14 – Inverloch-Kongwak 47 def Dalyston 42
KEY PLAYERS
INVERLOCH-KONGWAK
Renee Pilkington
The GOAT. Has won three of the last four league best and fairest awards and is an absolute rock in defence. The Magpies will need to be crisp and precise with their passing to find a way through the IK Goal Defence.
DALYSTON
Brittany Thomas
Has shouldered a heavy workload through the midcourt, but is more than up to the task having finished top-10 in the league best and fairest last year. Hard working and versatile, Thomas could be played in several positions on the weekend.
OUR TIP
How can you tip against a team that has won 40 games on the trot and is just two wins away from a historic premiership three-peat?
That’s the mountainous challenge confronting Dalyston on Saturday when the Magpies look to bring reigning champions Inverloch-Kongwak to their knees.
These two have played twice this season; the Sea Eagles winning by 10 goals at Dalyston in round five, before the Magpies pushed the champs to just five goals at Inverloch in round 14.
On that occasion the Magpies led by one at quarter time, and won the last quarter by four, but gave up 31 goals to 21 through the middle stages of the match.
The Magpies appear the team most well-equipped to end the Sea Eagles incredible 40-game winning streak.
Gemma Thomas and Olivia Bramley form the basis of a great defensive unit, while Ruby Brosnan, Britt Thomas, Eva Garnham and Mataya Maloney refuse to take a backward step through the midcourt.
And in Bella Schmidt and Jarney Thomas; the Magpies have a significant one-two punch that could cause the Sea Eagles some damage.
But just how do you defeat Inverloch; who has absolute class in all thirds of the court.
Amity McInnes and Renee Pilkington are absolute terrors in the defensive circle, while Lanni Pryor, Kelsey Buxton, Kate French and Asha Boyd form the hardest working and most talented midcourt in the business.
Goalers Amy Scott, Kelly Boyd and Ella Sadler have the pleasurable task of finishing off everyone else’s hard work.
This will be a high-quality game between two fantastic netball teams that have strength in all areas of the court.
The Magpies are a mighty machine; but face a Sea Eagles outfit that is two steps away from the greatest achievement of any football or netball team in the brief history of the WGFNC.
It’s the Sea Eagles to advance to the big dance courtesy of a hard-fought seven-goal victory.
FIRST SEMI-FINAL
CORA LYNN (5) V NAR NAR GOON (6)
Sunday at Cora Lynn
MEETINGS IN 2024
R7 – Cora Lynn 41 def by Nar Nar Goon 42
R16 – Nar Nar Goon 39 def by Cora Lynn 43
KEY PLAYERS
CORA LYNN
Danielle Cameron
The former Beaconsfield star transferred across to Cora Lynn and her athleticism and hunger for the contest makes her one of the best defenders in the league. An absolute gun.
NAR NAR GOON
Kyra Esler
An outstanding talent who took the game away from Tooradin-Dalmore last week with a breathtaking last-quarter performance. Her battle with Cameron will be worth the price of admission alone.
OUR TIP
There’s been nothing between these two teams all season, with both narrowly winning their away visits this year.
The Goon appears a more seasoned outfit, but had a really inconsistent run heading towards the back end, while the Cobras have now won four straight and are playing with absolute confidence.
Meaghan Winter, Darcy Utber and Kyra Esler present a real challenge for the Cobras, but the home-court advantage could make all the difference come 4pm on Sunday.
It’s the Cobras to progress to the preliminary final with a nail-biting two-goal victory.
