Sport
KDL | ‘Excited for the challenge': Eagles ready for test against A-grade's best
Shepparton East will face its biggest test of the A-grade season on Saturday and mentor Erryn Hueston would not have it any other way.
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The Eagles, currently third on the Kyabram District League ladder, take to the court against unbeaten Tallygaroopna in what promises to be a thrilling round 11 hit-out.
Hueston and her troops have six wins on the trot since their opening round loss to Dookie United, but come up against the fearless ladder-leader away from home.
“We are really looking forward to this weekend. It's a game we have had our eyes set on for a while now,” Hueston said.
“We are excited for the challenge.
“You always want to challenge yourself and you can only do that against the best.
“And it will be nice to know where we are at.”
There is doubt Tallygaroopna will make the Eagles work hard for the result come Saturday afternoon.
The Redlegs are ranked first in the competition for points scored and points against.
Fiona Down's outfit averages 54 goals scored and 27 against a game.
Led by talented goaler Melinda Kittley and experienced defender Rebecca Humphrey, Tally has class across all thirds of the court.
However, Shepparton East boasts its own lethal arsenal.
Hueston's dead-eye attacking end, Amy Reid and Kara Pattison, is scoring at a rapid pace of 55 goals a game and is coming off a stellar match against Violet Town.
The duo combined for 68 goals, a performance that earned praise from the coach.
But Hueston knows the Eagles will need to be on right from the get-go against their top-ranked opponents.
“We are expecting a very tough game. We are aware of how well they have been playing,” she said.
“You can't beat experience and we know they have a lot of it. It will come down to who settles the quickest at the start and which team is able to maximise on their turnovers.”
Lancaster will be out to clinch back-to-back wins on Saturday.
The Wombats will be up against sixth-placed Murchison-Toolamba, but have a chance to snatch that position on their home court.
“It will be the first time since the start of the year that we will go in full-strength,” Lancaster coach Jo McCready said after her side's win over Undera last week.
“We have got a run against the top sides coming up which is a challenge but also exciting.
“A win against Murch could lift us up inside that top six. We know that we have a lot of ground to make up, but a win would give us confidence moving forward.”
Top six outfits Dookie United and Nagambie will battle for supremacy at the bottom of Mount Major.
Both sides are placed on 24 points and a win here will keep them in contention for the top three.
Nagambie is coming off a resilient two-goal win in last week's "eight-point game" against Merrigum, while the Thunder cruised past Stanhope.
Expect Rushworth to have its tail up when the Tigers host Violet Town.
The winner of that match will move to 16 points.
And young outfit Undera gets a chance to clinch its first win of the campaign on Saturday.
The Lions head down the road to take on bottom-ranked Ardmona.
Lastly, Stanhope makes the trip out east to take on Longwood.
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Sports Editor