ANZ State Netball League Round 16 & 17 Preview

With the top three sides all locked together on 23 points and only separated by percentage both Lexus Arrows and Cripps Waratah will be looking to take full advantage of hosting the competitions bottom two sides at home on Saturday and Sunday. With the home and away season moving in to the last third and very little separating the competitions top sides percentage may well determine sides gaining home finals and the all-important second chance. OPSM Devon and Burnie Tigers will travel south knowing that although their finals hopes are gone they can have a huge impact in shaping the top four and with pride and development as key goals against some of the league heavyweights. 

Myrtle Ridge Northern Hawks will enter their match against Glendon Kingston Blues with a single point buffer in fourth spot so will be keen to record a victory and hope that top placed Cavaliers can do them a favour against the chasing Karana side on Saturday before the two sides meet on Sunday. Hawks coach Kellie Woolnough is hoping that her side can maintain their top four spot and put in consistent performances this weekend. 

“Northern Hawks are hoping to earn four premiership points to add to their tally in this weekend’s double header against southern teams Kingston and Karana at the Silverdome. I’m looking forward to seeing the side perform well this weekend with disciplined and steady play on court. “ Woolnough said. 

Country Club Cavaliers currently sitting on top of the ANZ State Netball League will know that southern rivals Arrows and Cripps both have two very winnable games so will need to record two victories in their weekend matches. Cavaliers will also be keen to do so in comfortable fashion knowing that their superior percentage is what sees them holding top spot. This will be anything but easy as they are coming up against a Karana side still with finals quality and aspirations and a Kingston side who have been more than competitive with the competitions best. 

The match of the round sees the competitions fourth and fifth sides do battle in Myrtle Ridge Northern Hawks and St Lukes Karana Flames. Hawks hold a one point advantage and the home court edge over their southern rival. Karana however will know that this is a match they must win to keep their finals hopes alive. Karana coach Donna Terry is hopeful her side can bounce back from a disappointing showing last weekend. 

“After a disappointing performance last weekend Karana will be out to rectify their standing when travelling to Launceston this weekend. Playing on the road is always hard but this weekend has so much riding on it.” Terry said. 

“We identified that our unforced error rate early in the game last weekend was unacceptable and will need to have a remarkable turnaround if we intend to play finals” 

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