MEN
Western Roar v Warriors Men:
The Men’s competition has a very exciting start to their 2024 season, a Grand Final rematch between Western Roar and West Coast Warriors. Losing the premiership by three goals means the Warriors will come back fighting this season, eager to amend their disappointing loss. Don’t expect Roar to start the season as relaxed premiers, the club have plans to make history with three premierships in a row, which can only be achieved by dominance from the beginning. For two clubs with big plans this season, their first face-off is bound to be a good one.
Rangers Men v Southside Demons Men:
The 2024 season has seen the expansion of the men’s competition to five teams, with the inaugural Rangers Men’s team facing the Demons in round one. For a first-time team, the Rangers have recruited well, starting the season with a squad full of both experience and youth, hoping to give the Demons a hard time in round one. The Demons were knocked out after round one in the 2023 finals, so expect to see the squad coming back fighting harder than ever to make it further than last year.
OPEN
Western Roar v Rangers
The first Opens game of the season will no doubt be one to watch. The Western Roar and Rangers last came head-to-head in round nine of 2023, with Roar leading every quarter to win by 17 goals. Roar then went on to lose the Grand Final by only four goals, a disappointing end to a successful season. The Rangers finished the season in fifth place, missing out on a chance in the finals. Both teams are starting the 2024 season with something to prove, the makings of an exciting first game.
Can’t make it to Roar v Rangers? Stream here
Southside Demons v Fremantle Sharks
The Southside Demons and Fremantle Sharks are starting the season with an elimination final rematch. In a tense game in round one of the 2023 finals, the Sharks won by one goal in a game of high points, intensity, and skill. The leading team swapped every quarter throughout the match, an accurate demonstration of their season being separated by a matter of percentage. Keep an eye out for Demons player Kyra Jones as she celebrates her huge 150 games milestone in round one. Friday’s game will be a demonstration of the work each team has put in over pre-season, with both sides wanting to be better than the other after finishing so close in 2023.
Can’t make it to Demons v Rangers? Stream here.
Hamersley Comets v Peel Lightning:
The Hamersley Comets will be coming into the season looking to defend their title as reigning premiers. The Comets and Peel Lightning last faced each other in round 11 2023, with the Comets showing their dominance in a 33-goal win. Don’t count the Lightning out this year however, after a pre-season full of planning, hard work and new additions to the squad, Lighting are aiming to start strong for more wins on the board this season.
Souwest Jets v West Coast Warriors:
The Souwest Jets and West Coast Warriors last saw each other in round nine of 2023, with the Jets going down by six goals. For the first and third quarters the Jets and Warriors almost evenly scored with one another, with the Warriors only taking a lead during the second quarter. Both team’s defence was so strong that neither team scored in the last quarter, a match up that made for an engaging game to watch. Higher ladder positions than last year are the goal for the Jets and Warriors, and they will be eager to showcase their pre-season improvement in the first round.
GIG WANL 2024 starts Thursday, 7 March 6:30pm at Gold Netball Centre.
