Sitting in fourth spot on the Murray Netball League A-grade ladder with an impressive 7-2 record, the Blues have proven themselves to be a true contender in 2022, playing a fast and attacking style of netball.
One thing they haven’t done yet, however, is beat a fellow top-four team, making this bout with the second-placed Purples a defining moment in their season.
Coming into this match on the back of three straight wins, Tongala coach Paige Wade said her team was excited about the challenge.
“We are really looking forward to the game and hopefully put four quarters of good solid netball together,” Wade said.
“Our last month has been really positive with our depth really shining through, but having not yet beaten a team that’s above us our aim is to really push one of these top teams like Nathalia and get a win.”
The second meeting between the two sides this season, the Blues took it right up to Nathalia in their round three encounter, as the Purples pulled away late to secure a hard-fought 43-35 triumph.
“It was a really close game until that last quarter where they got on top of us, so we are very keen to go over there and redeem ourselves,” Wade said.
“Our team was relatively new at the time, so it gave us a great indication of what we needed to improve on and I think we have come a long way since then.
“I reckon it will be another great battle and, fingers crossed, we can get over the line.”
Coming into this clash with a clean bill of health, Wade outlined some of the areas her team would need to be sharp in to come away with the victory.
“Nathalia definitely will push us, so it will all start with being tight defensively and putting forward a really together game from start to finish,” she said.
“At this stage we will have our best team on the park, so we are very well placed for the challenge.”
Around the courts, Congupna will be desperate to the return to the winners’ list as it welcomes cellar-dweller Numurkah.
Mulwala will be eyeing off a major scalp as it welcomes second-placed Rumbalara to Lonsdale Oval.
Echuca United and Moama square off, with the Eagles keen to make it back-to-back wins on their home court.
Deniliquin travels to Finley in the hope of keeping its undefeated start to the season alive.
While fierce rivals Barooga and Cobram do battle to round out the weekend.
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