ANZ State League Round 16 & Round 17 Preview

Round 16 and 17 of the ANZ State League brings all eight sides to Hobart for eight intriguing matchups across an exciting weekend of high quality netball. Only two wins separate’s teams placed 2nd to 4th with the all-important double chance up for grabs. 

The weekend’s most important match’s centre around St Lukes Karana Flames who are placed 4th on nine wins and 18 points including an impressive six wins from their last seven matches. Karana face both Northern sides in 2nd placed Myrtle Ridge Northern Hawks and a Bellamys Organic Cavaliers side currently in 3rd spot. 

Northern Hawks after consecutive losses in Round 5 and 6 have gone to build a very strong season winning eight of their past nine matches to currently sit two games clear in 2nd spot on the ANZ State League table. Their meeting with Karana also one of the form sides of the competition is sure to provide great entertainment and tell us much about the fortunes of the sides going forward. Hawks player/coach Steffi Grenda who for the first time in many weeks will have her strongest squad available to her is looking forward to the weekend and the ensuing matchup. 

“Looking forward to the weekend as we should have a full team for the first time in a few weeks. Last time we played Karana we weren’t at full strength so it will be good to see the development we have made in that time.” Grenda said 

Speaking of her sides form and that of their opponents Grenda believes it should provide for an exciting match. 

“We are very aware that, like us, Karana are in good form and I think that some key matchups will make for an interesting battle between our two sides” 

In the second of their weekend matches Hawks face a Glendon Kingston Blues winless in their last four with only two wins for the season. Kingston round out a tough weekend against top three sides facing Cavaliers. 

Cavalier’s will not have given up hope of finishing higher than their northern rivals Hawks but to do so will also like Hawks need a result against Karana. Cavaliers will be only to aware that a loss this weekend not only helps maintain their rivals hold on second place but also provides an opportunity for last year’s premiers in Cripps to leapfrog them in to the top four. Cavaliers coach Lynda Colgrave was aware her side was facing one of the season’s biggest improvers and a team high on confidence after recent good form. 

“Karana certainly are the big improvers and their confidence will be high. We are hoping that we match up better on them this time and that we put together four quarters. Last time we played well for the first half but let them get back into the game and then momentum took them to the win. We think that we are steadily improving and are getting better at transferring our great work at training into each game.” Colgrave said 

Colgrave said her side was well aware of the importance of the weekend and that come the end of it the picture for the remainder of the year would be clearer. 

“After this weekend we will have a better idea about where we sit and just how much work we have to do in the final few games of the season. It’s been said before, we are getting down to the business end of the season and it’s now we have to prove we deserve to play finals and it starts this weekend. 

Last year’s premiers Cripps Waratah only a win out of the top four will be confident of two victories against coastal sides OPSM Devon and Burnie Tigers. Cripp’s season to this point has been inconsistent and they will need to use this weekend as an opportunity to make up ground on those above them and capitalise on the fact sides above them meet each other over the weekend. 

Unbeaten table topping AYC-Friends Lexus Arrows also face both coastal teams and will have to do without spear head Goal Shooter Sophie Gunn who returns to Melbourne to play in the Victorian Netball League finals. 

For the latest result, match details and in depth statistics please view http://my.netball.com.au/go.aspx?&entityid=38951&id=DRAW 

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