FINALS are just around the corner as the Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) last round gets underway tomorrow night. Round 10 marks the end of the 2021/22 regular season, with just four teams from each grade advancing to the post-season series. The final four will see knock out semi-finals between first and fourth in each grade, as well as second and third, with the winners of their respective semis moving on to the decider a week later. We take a look at how each grade is shaping up heading into the final round.

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

There is still plenty up for grabs in the Men’s Premier Division, with only the top two spots locked in. St Therese and Netblacks have secured those spots, though with both sides on 28 points heading into the last round, anything can happen and either side could claim the minor premiership. Southern Seahawks have fallen into a slump the last few games, but the massive do-or-die clash with Netblacks has huge ramifications. Fourth placed DDNA would be more nervous given the Doncaster side takes on the top of the table St Therese which is coming off its first loss of the season. That would make fifth placed City Heat pretty confident they can snatch fourth spot, playing sixth placed Ariels in the final round.

All games take place at 8pm, with each of the three games having finals and ladder ramifications. The top three clash between Netblacks and Seahawks has plenty on the line, with the former coming off a bye, and will look to see if the likes of Junior Levi and Deepak Patu can continue their form up against a Seahawks lineup that is looking to turnaround its three-game losing streak. Sam MacKerras and Danny Loats are among the key players to keep an eye on, with Remy Pirihi and Tim Malmo also having some impressive games this season for their respective sides.

There is no turning back for a fourth placed DDNA if they cannot roll top seed St Therese in that Round 10 clash. The latter is coming off its first loss of the season, having missed centre Riley Richardson in that match. They will look to get back on track and secure top spot, with Jake Hederics and Connor Lilly still in fantastic form up respective ends. DDNA has strung back-to-back nail-biting wins together to given itself a chance to make finals, with the likes of Ethan Spiteri and Jake Dambrauskas in good form.

In the final game, Ariels are the only side unable to make finals out on court in Round 10, but that does not mean they cannot play party pooper and dash the hopes of City Heat. Lead by a defensive duo of Dan King and Dan Stone, they will be out to try and restrict the likes of Al Punshon and James Matthews from having it all their own way. With plenty of talent in the midcourt and defensive end such as Jake Noonan and Simon Cartwright respectively, it is hard to look past City Heat, with fourth spot there for the taking providing St Therese defeat DDNA as expected.

ROUND 10 MEN’S PREMIER FIXTURES:

Netblacks vs. Seahawks @ 8pm, Court 6
DDNA vs. St Therese @ 8pm, Court 7
City Heat vs. Ariels @ 8pm, Court 9

Bye: Sirens

MIXED PREMIER DIVISION:

Things are a little more certain in the Mixed Premier Division from a finals perspective, with the four qualified teams basically guaranteed their spots. Fourth placed Ariels were the only side under real threat, just two points clear of fifth placed Melbourne Quakes, but having easily accounted for Eastside Sonics last week, the Ariels have a bye in the final round ensuring that the Quakes cannot overtake them. The Quakes have kept their slim finals hopes alive with a win over NNE Vipers in Round 9, but now have to wait nervously on results in the final week.

The Quakes take on the winless Sonics, which should be a fairly straightforward win based on season form. But the other fact is that the Quakes must rely on the Vipers defeating Valley Wolves – and by a reasonable margin – to sneak into the top four. Valley Wolves have been in good form this year, but losing to undefeated side Geelong Cougars just left the door ajar for the Quakes, though the Wolves took it up to the Cougars early, and would be expected to see off the Vipers challenge.

Rebecca Winch and Caitlin Cooke join the likes of Cartwright and Jed Christian in the Quakes’ side as they search for a top four spot. They will take on a Sonics side hoping it can crack through for an unlikely first win in the final week of the season, with the likes of Rachel Powell and Jesse Failla in the team. The Wolves, lead by Monique Nagle, have enough height in Punshon and MacKerras, with James Story and Natalie Billings also in the team, that should see them be too much for the Vipers, though Ben Bruitzman, Sam Dugan and Bridget Ryan have been strong contributors in the 2021/22 season.

The final match of the round has just as much going for it as the other matches, with a top two clash between undefeated sides, Parkville Panthers and Geelong Cougars. The two strong favourites to reach the grand final, this early head-to-head was cancelled due to the first week back from the break with COVID-19 forcing the competition to call off that one week. In the clash, the likes of Richardson, Brodie Roberts and Georgette Paatsch will go head-to-head against the strength of Geelong’s Mel Bragg, Zanna Woods and Cameron Allum. In what is a blockbuster clash and potential grand final preview, the contest on Court 6 is not to be missed.

ROUND 10 MIXED PREMIER FIXTURES:

Parkville Panthers vs. Geelong Cougars @ 9:20pm, Court 6
NNE Vipers vs. Valley Wolves @ 9:20pm, Court 7
Eastside Sonics vs. Melbourne Quakes @ 9:20pm, Court 8

Bye: Ariels