ALTHOUGH the Melbourne Vixens have already secured the minor premiership thanks to their impressive win-loss ratio in season 2020 there is still plenty of flexibility surrounding the remaining top three teams. There are plenty of moving pieces that come into play when looking at how the season could play out as the GIANTS sit on the cusp of a top four spot, while the NSW Swifts, West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning all currently hold a top four position but could chop and change positions depending on the outcomes.

Sunshine Coast Lightning

Ladder position: 2nd
Best: 2nd
Worst: 4th
Win-loss ratio: 8-4
Run home: Round 13 Collingwood, Round 14 Melbourne Vixens

Currently holding onto second place on the ladder, the Lightning will be hoping to end the season on a high and notch up another two wins to give themselves a real confidence boost heading into finals. The two-time premiers have played in every grand final since the inception of Suncorp Super Netball and will be eager to keep their good run going. Although they cannot claim top spot, a win against Collingwood in Round 13 will put them in good stead and create further separation between them and the Fever who are hot on their tails. Round 14 will see a potential grand final preview against the Vixens, which will be a good test for the Lightning who have been up and down this season despite sitting pretty towards the top of the table. If they drop both matches and the Fever and Swifts win their respective clashes the Lightning could fall to fourth meaning at least one win is necessary for them to hold onto their current spot.

West Coast Fever

Ladder position: 3rd
Best: 2nd
Worst: 4th
Win-loss ratio: 7-1-4
Run home:  Round 13 GIANTS Netball, Round 14 Adelaide Thunderbirds

The Fever have been in scintillating form headlined by Jhaniele Fowler under the post. Her dominance has sparked her side to rise up the ladder in 2020 as they are shaping up to be real premiership contenders given their high scoring power and defensive options with Courtney Bruce, Stacey Francis, Sunday Aryang and Olivia Lewis all handy choices. A game behind the Lightning in second spot the Fever will be keen to leapfrog Sunshine Coast while also knocking the GIANTS out of finals contention with a win in Round 13. Although it took a while for the Fever to get going if they end the season strongly they could secure second spot due to their impressive percentage thanks to a couple of huge wins throughout the course of the season. If they win one game and lose the other, the Fever are likely to remain in the same spot but lose the opportunity to get the all-important double chance but that only comes into play if the Swifts do not win both of their matches. Worst case scenario and the Fever lose to both the GIANTS and Thunderbirds they slip to fourth spot on the ladder and are not likely drop out of the top four credit to their percentage.

NSW Swifts

Ladder position: 4th
Best: 2nd
Worst: Miss finals
Win-loss ratio: 7-5
Run home: Round 13 Adelaide Thunderbirds, Round 14 GIANTS Netball

The reigning premiers have not had things all their own way in 2020 with most teams latching onto their game plan and shutting them down, however in saying that the Swifts currently hold onto fourth spot and will be determined to prove last year was not a fluke. If they win back to back games and the Fever drop at least one the Swifts could skip into third spot and gain some much needed momentum heading into the finals series. Given their percentage if everything goes right for the Swifts they could potentially move into second spot if the Lightning and Fever are unable to register a win in the next two rounds. With Helen Housby likely to return to the line-up after missing with a concussion the Swifts will be hoping to put their best foot forward and throw everything they have at their opponents to keep those slim second spot chances alive.

GIANTS Netball  

Ladder position: 5th
Best: 3rd
Worst: Miss finals
Win-loss ratio: 5-1-6
Run home: Round 13 West Coast Fever, Round 14 NSW Swifts

The GIANTS have absolutely everything to play for in the final two rounds of the home and away season and while it has not been the smoothest season they are not out of the contest yet. Showing glimpses of brilliance the GIANTS will have to leave no stone unturned if they are to edge their way into the top four and will also be relying on some good old fashioned faith for things to fall their way in terms of teams around them dropping games. It will not be easy for the GIANTS as they have to come up against both the Fever and Swifts and most importantly have to win both clashes in order to clinch fourth spot. The GIANTS missed out on finals last year on percentage alone and will be wanting to rectify their shortcomings with a strong finish this year. If the Swifts lose both games and the GIANTS win both of their games then fourth spot or potentially third place depending on the Fever’s win-loss ratio in the next two rounds. By the end of Round 13 the GIANTS fate could ultimately be decided as they face-off against the Fever and must win if they are any chance to sneak in, while their finals shot lies on whether or not the Thunderbirds cause an upset and get over the top of the Swifts.