Sport
18 July, 2025
Netballers keen to hit stride
With six weeks to go, Southern Mallee Thunder's A Grade netballers are eyeing a top-three finish this season.
Fresh from a bye and a resounding 18-goal win against rival Warrack Eagles in round 11, the Thunder travel to Murtoa to take on the Burras.
It has been a mixed season for SMT, winning their first three games before losing challenging encounters with Horsham Saints, Ararat, Horsham Demons and Dimboola - all sides that sit higher on the ladder.
One consistent piece to the Thunder's finals puzzle is Steph Thomson, a prolific scorer with 321 goals to her name after 10 games.
Thomson has averaged 40 goals in the past three games and will look to go beyond her season best of 49 when SMT take on the ninth-placed Minyip Murtoa.
One player the Thunder must keep under wraps is Johanna Griffiths, a powerhouse in the Burras midcourt.
Griffiths may line up on Thomson to prevent her movement in goal attack in the latter part of the game.
Thomson should see a combination of mobile defender Molly Fagan and traditional goalkeeper Lauren Dodgshun throughout the game; which should give front court partner Emma Mill space to move freely.
While Mill has shot 156 goals this season at about 75 per cent accuracy, she did outscore Thomson against 2024 premiers Horsham Demons in round eight.
Mill also shot a perfect 20 goals from 20 attempts against Ararat's strong defensive unit.
At the other end of the court, Sydney Thorogood's matchup against Minyip Murtoa's captain, Lucy Brand, will dictate the Burra's success.
Thorogood was named best on court the last time the teams met and will look to limit entries and second chances with her length.
With a 10-point gap between the Thunder and Warrack Eagles on the ladder, SMT can start making plans for a deep finals run.
However, where it finishes the season on the ladder will be shaped by how well it plays this weekend.