AFTER back-to-back losses, Southern Seahawks have the chance to get their Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) season back on track. The Men’s Premier Division side headed into Round 7 of competition unbeaten, but after a reality check from top of the table St Therese, the Seahawks again went down in a shock loss to DDNA. Now Seahawks face a fresh Ariels side coming off a bye in Round 8 and ready to break their winless drought. Meanwhile in the Mixed Premier Division, Valley Wolves are coming off a bye to face the red-hot Geelong Cougars in a top three clash.

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

There is little question that the match is a must-win for Seahawks (20 points), with DDNA (14) and City Heat (12) closing in as finals approach. Defensive duo Sam MacKerras and Tim Malmo have remained in good form throughout, holding up the fort for the now third-placed side. Slipping eight points adrift of the top two, the Seahawks will look to benefit from the shooting of Danny Loats and Jayden Cowling, with midcourter Taurin Eimermacher another one to keep an eye on throughout the match.

Yet to win a game, the Ariels have enough about them to potentially cause some issues from a defensive standpoint. Dan Stone is having a ripping season and will likely have the job on Loats. He will team up with a combination of players, including Dan King. Up front, Kurt Thompson is the reliable goal shooter hoping to add more pain to the Seahawks’ recent results.

All Men’s Premier Division Round 9 fixtures will take place at 8pm, with the Seahawks-Ariels game on Court 10. Over on Court 9, City Heat will hope to bounce back from their loss to Netblacks, but have the unbeaten St Therese waiting for them on Court 9. Though both have plenty of talents, Jake Noonan (City Heat) and Riley Richardson (St Therese) have been among the top players thus far. In the final game on Court 11, DDNA will eye of back-to-back wins with a battle against Sirens. Ethan Spiteri was the standout last week for DDNA, whilst Brodie Roberts is one who could be important for Sirens.

M-LEAGUE MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION ROUND 9 FIXTURES:

City Heat vs. St Therese @ 8pm, Court 9
Ariels vs. Seahawks @ 8pm, Court 10
DDNA vs. Sirens @ 8pm, Court 11

Bye: Netblacks

MIXED PREMIER DIVISION:

The match of the round in the Mixed Premier Division is easily the top three clash between Valley Wolves and Geelong Cougars. Due to the fixture quirk where a week was called off, both the Cougars and Parkville Panthers remain undefeated, whilst the Wolves are three wins from five games. They are coming off a bye after Melbourne Quakes failed to capitalise against the winless Ariels, and now the Wolves have an extra bye already in the bag and can look towards the run home. Though their first-up encounter post-bye is not exactly easing them into it, with the Cougars coming off a casual 57-goal shellacking of last placed Eastside Sonics.

The last time these two sides faced off was back in Round 2, when the Cougars got the better of the Wolves by 12 goals. Geelong is an incredibly strong side, with Melissa Bragg starring through the centre bib, and being a part of a strong midcourt that features Noonan and Georgina Cuthbertson. Zanna Woods was unstoppable in goal shooter last week, and will look to team up with Brayden Pastore again to start.

Valley Wolves will be well rested after a two-week break, and only fielded the eight players back in Round 7. Monique Nagle remains a key focal point in the front third out at goal attack, and can team up with either James Story or Alastair Punshon who can play at either end, whilst Erin Jay is incredibly consistent through goal defence for the Wolves.

That match of the round takes place on Court 3, with the other two games on Court 6 and 7 respectively. With the Panthers having a bye this round, it means the bottom four sides will face off in those matches to see who can edge closer to the top three. Melbourne Quakes simply must defeat NNE Vipers if they are to maintain their fourth spot, with not only the Vipers, but Ariels sitting two points behind. A loss and it would make it five consecutive losses and see them slip to sixth on the table. Cowling could be one who will look to have a big day out for the Quakes, whilst Bridget Ryan is a key for the Vipers. For the Ariels, they take on Eastside Sonics hoping to add another loss to the Sonics’ CV this season, with Ally Black always a dangerous player through the midcourt, whilst the Sonics will be looking for a full court team effort to get the job done and break their winless drought.

M-LEAGUE MIXED PREMIER DIVISION ROUND 9 FIXTURES:

Valley Wolves vs. Geelong Cougars @ 9:20pm, Court 3
Eastside Sonics vs. Ariels @ 9:20pm, Court 6
NNE Vipers vs. Melbourne Quakes @ 9:20pm, Court 7