WEST Leagues Balance coach Tracey Baggs believes defence will again be the key when her defending dual premiers clash with Souths Lions on Saturday.
Wests toppled the three-time defending champions last year in the grand final and won 49-35 in their first clash this year. However, Souths were the only side to beat Wests last year in the Newcastle open championship and loom as the most likely to do that in 2018.
Baggs said the second-placed Lions remained a formidable side and she was looking to her main defensive duo, Mikenzie McManus and Kim Goodearl, to prove pivotal.
“Looking at the two teams, I think both of us are very capable of scoring at a fairly good rate, the only real difference has been the defensive end,” Baggs said.
“I think we’ve been a little stronger in that regard and I think it’s who’s going to stop the flow of goals better on the day, because we both match up fairly evenly on that.”
Baggs expected to have a full-strength side as Wests attempted to keep their unbeaten run alive. Souths have Natalie Hilder away.
“I said to the girls that we can’t be predictable, we need to change up our game and that’s what we’re going to do tomorrow,” Baggs said.
Elsewhere in round 10, Wests 2 play Forsythes, BNC take on Nova and Souths Pride meet Maryville Tavern.
Meanwhile, in round 12 of the Super Netball season, Collingwood host NSW Swifts and West Coast Fever are at home to Queensland Firebirds on Saturday.
On Sunday, Adelaide face Sunshine Coast and GWS Giants travel to play Melbourne.
In Metro League division one on Thursday night, Hunter United lost 56-52 to Illawarra.
