THE HDFL A-grade netball season is rapidly approaching the business end of the season, with eight games over the next five weeks standing out as crucial to the fortunes of the four teams battling for just three finals spots.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
As it stands, barring an unimaginable and improbable loss of form, last season's grand finalists Colbinabbin (12-0) and White Hills (11-1) will finish the minor rounds first and second.
That leaves Huntly (7-4), Mount Pleasant (6-5), Leitchville-Gunbower (6-5) and Lockington-Bamawm United (6-6) engaged in a four-way battle for third, fourth and fifth.
The Hawks missed an opportunity to tighten their hold on the double chance with a weekend loss to Lockington-Bamawm United.
That has thrust the them into another pivotal game this weekend against undefeated Colbinabbin.
It's the first of three consecutive games for the Hawks against top five opponents, with clashes against Leitchville-Gunbower and Mount Pleasant to follow.
The Hawks defeated both the Bombers and the Blues in their earlier season encounters.
With likely wins to come against bottom two Elmore and Heathcote in the final two rounds, at least one win in the next three weeks guarantees the Hawks a finals berth.
Two wins out of three likely delivers the double chance.
Mount Pleasant looks well placed to end a two year absence from finals, having already played three of the other top five sides.
Key games for the Blues are their July 29 clash against Huntly and a final round encounter against White Hills, which - depending on other results - could potentially deliver a top three spot.
Three games loom as defining for Leitchville-Gunbower, which has Huntly on July 22, White Hills (August 5) and Lockington-Bamawm United (August 12).
Lockington-Bamawm United showed what it was capable of with a weekend win over Huntly, but has tough games against Colbinabbin and White Hills to play, as well as a bye and final round encounter against the Bombers to contend with.
Cats coach Kristy Roulston said her team had not given up on forcing their way back into five, but conceded it would require at least one or two big scalps.
"Had we not go that win (against Huntly) we knew our finals chances were very slim, but that helps us," she said.
"We still have to get over a couple of other teams to get there, but it was a nice one to get and one we needed.
"For us it will kind of depend on which other (potential finals) teams win when they play other as to where we will land.
The Cats have already eclipsed last season's total of four wins with four games still to be played.
