This weekend sees the beginning of the final month of the ANZ Premiership season, and with five teams still in contention for finals, there really is plenty still to play for.

The top three is far from decided, with anyone from first placed Mystics down to fifth placed Magic still in contention. Unfortunately the last placed Steel are too far behind the rest of the pack and cannot catch up in time with the number of games left.

This coming weekend is a big one for both the Tactix and Pulse for a couple of reasons. Those two are the two clubs playing twice this weekend, and with them currently sitting second and third on the ladder, they will be wanting to bank as many wins as possible as quickly as possible to build an unbreakable buffer between them and the chasing pack inside the top three.

The Pulse have a particularly big weekend, because they have to travel for both of their games. Thankfully for the Pulse it is only from Invercargill to Christchurch, but the turnaround time between games is not very much so that may play a factor for them this weekend.

The Pulse’s weekend begins on Saturday against a Steel side who have nothing left to lose this season. They cannot make finals anymore so can play with a freedom no one else can.

However the Steel do have a challenge this weekend, with Kelly Jury, Amelia Walmsley and Maddy Gordon all in solid form which meant Kate Burley, Georgia Heffernan and Kate Heffernan will not have an easy job on their hands.

Moving on to Sunday, and the Tactix have the first of their two matches for the weekend when they host the Mystics. A top two battle that is sure to be an entertaining tussle.

One particular battle that is sure to be fascinating is the one in the Mystics’ shooting circle.

Grace Nweke is having another very good domestic season, but will have a tough challenge this weekend having to contend with two Silver Ferns defenders in Jane Watson and Karin Burger. Burger may play out at wing defence which will take the pressure off Nweke slightly, but make the day of Elisapeta Toeava that much more difficult, but she is also having a strong season so will no doubt rise to the challenge.

The second of Sunday’s matches is up in Auckland where the Stars will be hosting the Magic.

A battle of fourth versus fifth, both teams will be keen to get the win and not slip further behind the top three in the race for the finals.

Both teams have stellar shooting circles, with Bailey Mes, Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Maia Wilson all hoping to shoot their team to the win. The Stars will certainly be hoping things do not have to come to needing Amorangi Malesala’s clutch shooting at the death though.

The final match of the weekend is on Monday night, with the Tactix and Pulse coming together in each side’s second match of the weekend.

In this clash the defence of each side will arguably be the most fascinating group to watch. With Silver Fern defenders Jury, Burger and Watson all out on court, whoever can assert dominance first will go a long way to victory and with the World Cup squad reveal just around the corner, it could also perhaps be a World Cup squad audition.

ANZ Premiership Round 9 Fixture

Steel vs Pulse – Saturday at 7:15pm – ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Tactix vs Mystics – Sunday at 2:10pm – Christchurch Arena, Christchurch
Stars vs Magic – Sunday at 4:10pm – Pulman Arena, Auckland
Tactix vs Pulse – Monday at 7:35pm – Christchurch Arena, Christchurch