The race to the finals is set to heat up on Wednesday night for Round 17 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) at the State Netball and Hockey Centre from 7pm.
With only two rounds remaining in the home and away season, it will present one last chance for many teams across all three divisions to secure a place in this year’s finals series.
The Championship match between the Boroondara Express and the Wilson Storage Southern Saints will be pivotal to shaping to top four, with the two sides sitting third and fifth respectively.
The Saints must win to keep their finals hopes alive, while a victory for the Express would help them secure third place on the ladder.
“We are trying to still make finals so it is crucial to get a win. It will be tough as we need other results to fall our way, but a win would be a good starting point,” Saints Championship Coach Jane Searle said.
Another big clash will pit the Melbourne University Lightning against the City West Falcons.
The two rivals currently share top spot on the Championship ladder on 56 points apiece. A win for either side would edge them ahead in the race to secure the minor premiership.
In Division One, the fifth-placed Peninsula Waves must defeat the top-of-the-table DC North East Blaze to keep their finals hopes alive.
They currently sit one win and percentage behind Boroondara and the Geelong Cougars.
With the best attacking record this season, the Cougars will look to secure a finals berth with a victory against the Monash University Storm.
In the 19/Under division, the top four has been set with the Cougars, Blaze, Falcons and the ACU Sovereigns set to make up finals.
There will still be plenty of great viewing on Wednesday night though, with the Sovereigns match against the Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels at 9:40pm set to be a great battle.
VNL Round 17 Fixtures, 7pm
Wilson Storage Southern Saints v Boroondara Express (SNHC Court 1)
City West Falcons v Melbourne University Lightning (SNHC Court 2)
Monash University Storm v Geelong Cougars (SNHC Court 3)
ACU Sovereigns v Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels (SNHC Court 4)
DC North East Blaze v Peninsula Waves (SNHC Court 5)
For the latest Victorian Netball League news, results and statistics visit vnl.com.au
