ANZ State Netball League Final Weekend

The final two rounds of the ANZ State Netball League will ultimately shape the finals paths of all four sides currently sitting in the top four. Whilst the makeup of the finals is settled the final positioning of sides is well and truly on the line. 

Lexus Arrows currently sitting a game clear on top would have to slip up to one of the bottom two in Burnie Tigers or OPSM Devon in order not to secure the minor premiership and a double chance. Andrew Jackson coach of the table topping Arrows is looking for his side to build momentum going in to the business end of the season. 

“We will be making sure we put in two strong performances over the weekend in an effort to build momentum going into finals the following week.” Jackson said 

“We are expecting both Burnie & Devon to finish off their seasons strongly as this is their last chance in 2014 to show what they are capable of. Two wins will be our aim, but realise we need to play at our best to make sure of this.” 

Myrtle Ridge Northern Hawks appear certain to finish in fourth spot assuming teams above them don’t drop both games across the weekend. Following on from an impressive win against northern rivals Cavaliers the Hawks will be looking to build on that performance and hope that they can knock off another more fancied rival in coming weeks. Hawks coach Kellie Woolnough is hoping the side keep their foot on the pedal and don’t let up in their pursuit of extended finals action. 

“The side understand they need to continue to play hard to keep their season on track and continue to improve their game.” Woolnough said 

Country Club Cavaliers and Cripps Waratah are the two most fascinating stories going in to the final matches and the sides who have most at stake from the weekend. Before slipping up at home last match to Northern Hawks the Cavaliers looked all but assured of a double chance all year but will now need to rely on two victories and hope their superior percentage remains that way come the end of the weekend. Cavaliers coach Lynda Colegrave knows that the fate of her side still rests with them and is keen to focus on the task at hand this weekend. 

“It is still one game at a time for us, but we know that last week’s loss has had significant implications on where we will finish on the ladder. We need to get back on the winners list heading into finals and we are confident we can do that. We have patches of great netball, but we need to put together four consistent quarters.” Colegrave said 

Cripps Waratah will be confident in winning both their games this weekend but are more focused on performance and process than any possible top two implications with the side positive all year they could make the grand final from outside of the top two. 

“We will be focusing on playing the best netball we can. There has been lots of talk about percentage and a top two finish but were more interested in playing well and giving everyone the chance to be in the best form for finals so that we have 9 strong contributors. If that translates into enough percentage to be top two, then so be it – but it won’t be our primary focus.” Cripps coach Aaron Pidgeon said. 

Meanwhile in the 19 and Under division Glendon Kingston Blues will face the table topping Country Club Cavaliers in what is shaping as a battle for top spot. In one of the tightest Under 19 seasons in memory only one win and a small percentage separates the top three. 

All of the ANZ State Netball League matches this weekend will be held in the North West across Ulverstone Sports Centre (Ulverstone) and St Brendan Shaw College (Devenport) in a gala for the competition and the region.