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A battle for third, fourth and fifth spots on Wimmera netball league’s A Grade ladder is hotting up as teams prepare for round-13 action this weekend.

The two top teams – Southern Mallee Giants and Horsham – are relatively safe. But Dimboola, Warrack Eagles, Stawell, Horsham Saints and Ararat could all mathematically make the five or, along with Minyip-
Murtoa, have an impact in shaping the finals.

An Ararat side, taking on Dimboola on Saturday, needs to win every match for the rest of the home-and-away season and hope for a few upsets involving teams along the way.

The Rats lost to Horsham 36-64 last week, but the last time the Roos and Rats clashed, Dimboola won by only four goals. Considering both teams have continued to improve it’s hard to pick a winner. 

Dimboola is also coming off a 59-35 win over Nhill

Dimboola defender Olivia Jorgensen will match the height of Delaney McLoughlin, while Ararat’s experienced Rebecca Skrabl, in working well with Racquel Scott, will have a good tussle with Billie-Jo Barber and Nicole Polycarpou at the other end of the court.

Monique Scott has moved from defence to wing attack for Ararat and is making it her own and Roos youngsters Steph Glover, Holly Ross, Ruby Redford and Delta Wardle are playing strong games in challenging matches.

Horsham plays Warrack Eagles in another fascinating tussle.

The Eagles, which lost 50-51 in a thriller to Stawell last outing, came away with the points when they last met the Demons.

But Horsham was missing Emma Buwalda on that occasion and this time the Eagles will be without Ashlynn McKenzie, and perhaps Jess Kelly and Megan Werner.

Juniors Grace Manserra and Jemma Thomas are relishing A Grade opportunities for the Demons, which should be too strong this time around with the ability to rotate players if needed.

Emma Koschitzke and Sarah Spicer will need to work their magic for the Eagles.

Nhill plays Horsham Saints in a rematch of a game that the Saints comfortably won back in round four.

But the Saints won’t want to underestimate the Tigers because a loss could have serious ramifications on their finals chances.

Charlotte Foulds and Claudia McRae will need to be on target in goals for Nhill to capitalise on any turnovers, while Ashlee Grace has been the playmaker through the centre for Saints and will attract attention from Jenna Schneider. Southern Mallee Giants beat Minyip-
Murtoa 51-30 last game and now meet a Stawell side brimming with confidence.

Stawell showed last round it can finish off tight matches and will need that confidence to upset the Giants.

In their previous encounter Stawell stayed with the Giants until the Giants pulled away in the second half.

The Southern Mallee team has a formidable defence and Stawell goalers Ebony Summers and Zanaiya Bergen will need to fight hard.

The Warriors will also need to limit the damage Jodie Hayes does through the midcourt.

Lisa Fleming, Rachel Wood and Eliza Bennett are combining well in defence for Stawell and will need to work hard to restrict scoring opportunities to Steph Thomson and Zali Brown.

Minyip-Murtoa has a bye.

Results: Dimboola d Nhill 59-35, Horsham d Ararat 64-36, Southern Mallee Giants 51-30, Stawell d Warrack Eagles 52-51. 

Ladder: Southern Mallee Giants 44 points, 134.93 percent; Horsham 36, 169.14; Dimboola 32, 103.59; Warrack Eagles 28, 111.59; Stawell 28, 106.67; Horsham Saints 24, 89.78; Ararat 16, 85.92; Minyip-Murtoa 12, 86.85; Nhill 4, 53.48.