MELBOURNE Quakes have secured their finals spot in the 2021/22 Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) Mixed Premier Division. Coming into the penultimate round, the Quakes needed to win in order to book a finals spot, given a loss would hand fourth spot to Ariels – at least for the week – and the Quakes relying on last round results as they sat out for a bye. Luckily that was not necessary, as Melbourne knocked off NNE Vipers by 12 goals (55-43) to grab the four points needed to guarantee fourth spot.

Melbourne Quakes started the game strongly enough, scoring 14 goals to 11 in the opening term, before putting the foot down in the second quarter, with a 17-11 term to hold a 31-22 lead at half-time. Rebecca Winch had scored 13 goals – eight in the first term – for the Quakes, as Jayden Cowling put up 18, 12 of which came in a busy second term for the goal attack. Bridget Ryan (12 goals) had a busy first half for the Vipers, Sam Dugan looking lively in defence. Ben Bruitzman (Vipers) and Billy Mahoney (Quakes) were having a great battle in midcourt.

The third term was much of the same for the Quakes, scoring 14 goals to 10 and extending the lead out to 13 by the final change, just 15 minutes away from a finals spot. Winch had moved into goal attack for the term and scored seven goals, pairing up with David Chisholm who came onto the court for the term. Winch then rolled into shooter once again in the final stanza to score six goals, as Jed Christian spent a quarter in goal attack, showcasing the Quakes attacking depth.

Up the other end, Caitlin Cooke and Simon Cartwright were holding up the fort, restricting the Vipers to no more than 11 goals in a quarter, following on from Elly Randall‘s performance in goal keeper in the opening half. Ryan finished with 15 goals for the Vipers, as Alex Green‘s switch to goal shooter for the second and fourth terms netted 15 goals. The last term was a slight win to the Vipers (11-10), but the result went the way of the Quakes, 55-43.. Winch (26 goals) and Mahoney were among the best for the Quakes, with the latter spending three quarters in centre, whilst Dugan stood out for the Vipers in the defensive goal circle.

The result meant the Quakes remain two points clear of Ariels heading into the final round, but with four points guaranteed from the bye, Melbourne cannot be moved from fourth spot. The only possible change would be a huge win to Parkville Panthers against Valley Wolves to knock the Wolves’ percentage below the Quakes. Otherwise the Quake will take on the Panthers in the first week of the finals, and Wolves go up against the Geelong Cougars.

Speaking of the Wolves and Cougars, those sides clashed in an entertaining clash on Wednesday night, with the latter getting up by eight goals, 62-54. After a tight first term where a late goal to the Wolves saw the deficit at just one (12-11), the Cougars opened up the game in the second term with a 20-12 quarter. The third term was similar with 19 goals to 13 in favour of the Cougars, and the margin was out to 15 goals. A late burst from the Wolves of 18-11 cut the deficit back to eight, but it was a case of too little, too late.

Al Punshon scored a massive 17 goals in the final term to finish with 46 of his side’s 54 goals. Cameron Allum was the scoring difference for. the Cougars, coming on at goal shooter for those middle two quarters and scoring 30 goals in a real purple patch. Georgina Cuthbertson‘s work in wing attack – then six goals in goal attack for the third quarter – earned her plaudits, while defender Jake Dambrauskas also impressed.

In the final game of the round, Ariels enjoyed a big win over Eastside Sonics. The former have enjoyed a nice run of form of late, and that continued with a 28-goal victory over the league’s bottom side. The Ariels won 61-33, with a 29-16 first half really opening up the game. A 32-17 second half was even more impressive, as Kurt Thompson (42 goals) scored 25 goals in the second half. The versatile Brendan Nick – who played wing defence, goal keeper and centre – also impressed for the winners.

Top of the table Parkville Panthers will take on the Wolves next week, with the Cougars taking on Ariels, and a bottom two clash between the Vipers and Sonics rounding out the M-League season.

M-LEAGUE MIXED PREMIER ROUND 9 RESULTS:

Geelong Cougars (62) defeated Valley Wolves (54)
Melbourne Quakes (55) defeated NNE Vipers (43)
Ariels (61) defeated Eastside Sonics (33)