Nine wins and counting, no losses and a sparse injury list to boot, there seems to be no team which should elicit even the slightest of quivers from a formidable Thunder outfit.
Well, except Tallygaroopna.
The last time Dookie United dropped a game was the 2022 Kyabram District League grand final, against who else but the Redlegs, so you could excuse Thunder coach Laura Henderson for sensing a slight tension among her group approaching this weekend’s rematch.
“I think the girls are a little bit nervous just with it being a grand final rematch, but it’s different conditions and a different group of girls, so we’re going into it as a whole new game,” Henderson said.
“The girls can play good netball because Tally are a good team to play against.
“We’re excited ― we never know what’s going to happen each time we play them.
“It’s a good chance to have a good hit-out.”
Unlike Dookie United, Tallygaroopna has lost a game in 2023.
Fiona Downs’ side went down to top side Shepparton East ― which is also undefeated ― in May, but a crucial detail means the Redlegs are to be taken just as seriously as last year.
Shepparton East only just scraped past Tallygaroopna by four goals, its slimmest winning margin this season.
Add in the fact the Redlegs only lost one regular season match last year, which was against Dookie United, and still went on to win the flag and it makes the 2022 premier appear just as menacing a task for Henderson’s lot.
The Thunder mentor is pleased with how the current campaign is tracking, but believes this weekend is a real litmus test when it comes to knowing where they stand.
“It’s hard to tell, we haven’t played the the top three teams ― Shepp East, Stanhope and Tally ― so it’s kind of hard to know where we sit,” she said.
“Until we play those teams, then we know roughly where we are, what we need to work on.
“We’re feeling good at the moment; hopefully we’ve done enough so far to get us over the line, but these next few games will definitely give us a bit of an idea of what we need to be focusing on.”
A number of players have stood out wearing the black and teal of late according to Henderson, all of which she’ll need to fire if the Thunder is to reverse last year’s 39-32 grand final defeat.
“Maddy Owen up in goals, her and Mon Kelly have been working together really well in the goal circle,” she said.
“Gemma O’Sullivan, we’ve been using her all over the court, so I’m expecting big things from Gemma.
“Also Georgie Caruana as well ― if she’s on fire on Saturday, I think we’ll be all right.”
Around the traps, Girgarre and Undera square off as do Lancaster and Rushworth, while Nagambie hosts Avenel.
Shepparton East travels to Murchison-Toolamba, Merrigum meets Longwood and Stanhope plays Violet Town.
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