A COUPLE of mid-table clashes alongside an expected blowout makes for some interesting watching in the Victorian Mens’s & Mixed Netball Association’s (VMMNA) Mixed Premier League. In the Men’s Premier Division, the top side takes a rest with another undefeated team ready to pounce.

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION

The Men’s Premier Division ladder largely did not move after Round 4, with only Sirens’ narrow win over Ariels in a bottom-two clash seeing the former leapfrog DDNA into sixth on the table. Otherwise it was business as usual for the remaining sides, with the top of the table Seahawks surviving a battle against City Heat to head into the bye sitting pretty, whilst St Therese looks set to snatch the pole position with a win this week given the plus-17 goal difference between them and the Seahawks.

St Therese has a huge opportunity to secure top spot if it can overcome Ariels in the early Court 6 match. The second placed St Therese shook off a determined Netblacks last week on the back of some outstanding work from shooters, Connor Lilly and Tom Hardwick. The pair were able to pile on 63 goals between them to offset the impact of Junior Levi, whilst Jake Hederics and Matt Longhurst combined well up the other end. With Riley Richardson providing the defensive pressure through some crucial deflections and interceptions, the entire St Therese team is hard to stop.

That is exactly what confronts Ariels this week, with the winless side falling three goals short of victory against Sirens. They had their chances, leading by three goals at the final break, and will hope to bring more of that intensity to this game. Wade Aitken was lively though the centre bib and will have the big job on Richardson, whilst Cameron Allum was strong throughout in goal shooter. Dan Stone seems the man most likely to cause some headaches for the St Therese attacking end, with his ability to get to the right spots on court and intercept.

After some pretty unlucky fixturing against the top contenders in the league, City Heat should start favourites against fellow mid-table side, Sirens. The Sirens grabbed their first win against Ariels last round, but still have the lowest goal difference in the league, though City Heat are not that much further in front. Brodie Roberts and Andrew Lewis combined well in the goal circle for the Sirens last round, with Jed Christian a standout for City Heat as goal attack during the Heat’s loss to Seahawks. With Simon Cartwright and Jake Noonan through midcourt and James Matthews a target in the goal circle, the Heat are well placed to get their season back on track in Round 5.

In the final game of the round, Netblacks will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season last week, with a win over the rested DDNA. Yet to post a win this season, DDNA will hope to cause a big upset in this contest. Levi and Deepak Patu both stood out for Netblacks in the Round 4 loss, and will hope to capitalise more on the early momentum, and avoid another second half fadeaway.

LADDER AFTER ROUND 4

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION: ROUND 5 FIXTURES

Ariels vs. St Therese (Court 6, 6:40pm)
Sirens vs. City Heat (Court 6, 8:00pm)
Netblacks vs. DDNA (Court 6, 9:20pm)

Bye: Seahawks

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MIXED PREMIER DIVISION

Looking at the Mixed Premier Division, all eyes will be on the couple of mid-table clashes that could make or break the ladder coming into the Christmas-New Year holidays. Valley Wolves got on the board with a nail-biting three-goal win last round and will take on a seething Melbourne Quakes who were dominated by Parkville Panthers. The Quakes came into the clash off the back of two straight wins to open the season, but went down 45-75. The winner of the clash will secure a top four spot heading into the break, making it a crucial contest.

Last week the Wolves had to get creative after an injury to key shooter Monique Nagle, bringing on Zanna Woods, and rotating the team around. James Story was impressive in the bookend quarters at goal shooter, whilst Alastair Punshon stepped up in the role through the second and third terms. Midcourter Maddie Johny was judged best on court, with Sam Mackerras influential rotating between goal keeper and centre, showcasing his versatility.

The Quakes would much rather put last week behind them, with Danny Loats stepping in at goal shooter, having played for the Wolves the week before. It could make this clash very interesting, with Rebecca Winch being the goal attack. David Chisholm was the reliable goal shooter who will need to have a big game in this contest, whilst Cartwright and Caitlin Cooke are among the defensively-minded midcourters who could turn the tables in the contest.

The other highly anticipated contest is that of Ariels and NNE Vipers next up on Court 7. Both sides have won one game from four matches, but will move up the table with a victory. Ariels have been far more competitive as a whole, managing a plus-16 on goal difference despite losing 75 per cent of their games, whilst the Vipers have been beaten pretty badly by the top sides, heading into Round 5 with a minus-77 goal differential. The Vipers only had seven players to play with last week against Geelong Cougars making it tough, whilst Ella Spencer and Stone were a strong defensive combination for the Ariels.

The last match of the night looms as a real blowout potential with the second placed Parkville Panthers taking on the winless Eastside Sonics. The Panthers showed no mercy last week, and have stormed to a plus-82 goal differential. Whilst they might not have piled on as many goals on average as Geelong Cougars, their defence has been sensational. A big win as expected here would see them grab top spot as the Cougars take their bye. Roberts and Ellen Doyle were a strong combination in the shooting circle last week, whilst Richardson and Carly Harrison impressed through midcourt. The Sonics are coming off a rest, with the hope that they might be fresh and ready to cause a boilover in Round 5.

LADDER AFTER ROUND 4

MIXED PREMIER DIVISION: ROUND 5 FIXTURES

Valley Wolves vs. Melbourne Quakes (Court 7, 6:40pm)
Ariels vs. NNE Vipers (Court 7, 8:00pm)
Parkville Panthers vs. Eastside Sonics (Court 7, 9:20pm)

Bye: Geelong Cougars