State league to test juniors

LAURA Blackburn is using the Western Regional State League to prepare her for a stint with North Warrnambool Eagles' senior side.It's a stint she hopes will stretch out to a full season.After playing about four A grade games last year - where she held her own - the 16-year-old is pushing to be a regular in the team."I hope to play a few games up there and then I'll just see what happens," she said. "If I can't keep playing up there I'll just stick to 17s."Laura was awarded the Hampden league's best and fairest trophy in last year's 17 and under competition.Her pre-season included the inaugural state league with North Warrnambool Eagles which reached the grand final but went down to Hampden.Because the Eagles haven't entered a side in the 2009 competition, the shooter is suiting up with Warrnambool City."We lost to Colac by three (in round one)," she said. "It was a really good game."They are probably the best side."Blackburn combines with Warrnambool's Darcy Saunders in the goal ring during state league."We play domestic (netball) at the stadium together and we play basketball together so we know each other pretty well," she said.The pair will need to get on top of Koroit's defenders to help City notch up a round two victory tonight.Laura predicted the Saints' Maddi White would be her opponent. "She's really tall and she's really tough to play on," she said. "Hopefully I can just be quicker than her."Koroit lost their game last week to Warrnambool and District so hopefully we can get a win."In other 17 and under matches, Colac and District will look to make it two wins in a row against Hampden while Heywood and Warrnambool and District are tipped to have a tight contest.The open division sees Colac and District take on Hamilton while Warrnambool Football Netball Club will hope to string together its second win against Terang Mortlake.Heywood and Warrnambool and District are searching for their first wins while Warrnambool City will look to knock off Hampden.Matches are from 7pm at Warrnambool Stadium.