THE NETBALLING month of June closes with Grand Final Day in the UK, while the battle for finals heating up in Australia and New Zealand.

ANZ PREMIERSHIP

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Mainland Tactix vs. Northern Mystics
Sunday, 4pm @ Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

This weekend sees the beginning of the final month of the ANZ Premiership season, and there is plenty riding on every match from here on out.

This particular clash is sure to be a close one. It is first versus fourth, but both sides have a lot to play for.

If the Tactix win and the Magic lose to the Stars, they will become the first team to book their spot in the 2024 finals, and after a few less than ideal years this will be a huge moment for them.

If the reigning champions the Mystics win, they will at the very least close the gap to the third placed Magic, if not overtake them, depending them on how the percentages look at the end of the ground.

The previous two clashes between the sides were starkly different, but both eventuated in the same winner.

Round 3’s meeting saw the Tactix win by three goals after a second half fightback, while the match in Round 8 saw a 14 goal win to the Tactix after a particularly strong start.

The section of the court to watch is the Mystics attacking end, particularly if Grace Nweke is able to play.

Nweke is a massive component of the Mystics’ success, and although Hannah Glen has done a strong job trying to cover Nweke in her absence, it is near impossible to truly cover the absence of someone of her calibre.

Regardless, whoever fills that slot is going to have quite the challenge, trying to get passed Silver Ferns’ pair Karin Burger and Jane Watson.

OTHER FIXTURES

WBOP Magic vs. Northern Stars | Saturday, 4pm @ Mercury Baypark Arena, Tauranga
Southern Steel vs. Central Pulse | Monday, 7:30pm @ ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Melbourne Mavericks vs. Sunshine Coast Lightning 
Saturday, 7pm @ MyState Bank Arena

Although there is a top of the table clash on the menu this weekend, this clash between the Mavericks and the Lightning arguably has more riding on it in the long term.

These two are currently fifth and fourth respectively on the ladder, with one game separating them on that ladder.

For the Mavericks in particular, they really cannot afford to lose this clash. With only two matches left after this weekend and a decent percentage gap between themselves and the teams around them, finals might prove a stretch too far if they lose this weekend.

However, one thing the Mavericks do have in their favour is what happened the last time these two sides met.

About a month ago the Mavericks beat the Lightning right at the death after being down for most of the match to pick up their first ever win.

Both of these sides have really talented shooting ends, with Steph Fretwell, Cara Koenen and Gabby Sinclair all in the top five of either the goals or the super shot stats, and Shimona Jok making a huge impact since joining the Mavericks.

This means it may come down to the efforts of the defensive ends as to who comes out on top in this clash.

OTHER FIXTURES

Adelaide Thunderbirds vs. Melbourne Vixens | Saturday, 5pm @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre
NSW Swifts vs. Queensland Firebirds | Sunday, 2pm @ Ken Rosewall Arena
West Coast Fever vs. GIANTS Netball | Sunday, 4pm @ RAC Arena

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL RESERVES

FIXTURES:

Saturday:
Adelaide Thunderbirds v Melbourne Vixens – post the SSN match at Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Sunday:
West Coast Fever v GIANTS Netball – 5.30pm at Gold Netball Centre

Note: Previews for the weekend’s Netball Super League action will be released shortly.