ROUND 4 of the Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (MMNA) takes place tonight, with both the Men’s and Mixed Premier Leagues hosting blockbuster clashes. We preview all the M-League Round 4 action.

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION

The match of the round is definitely St Therese up against Netblacks, in a battle of two undefeated sides. The ladder has already started to take shape in the division, with City Heat’s win last week making them only the fourth side to register a victory. St Therese, Netblacks and Seahawks have monopolised the the victories this season, setting up a potential blockbuster clash on Court 7.

Towering goal shooter Junior Levi is the man for St Therese to try and contain, though the Netblacks bat deep in terms of their talent. Last week, midcourters Remy Pirihi and Deepak Patu were named among the best during the Netblacks’ win over the Ariels and will be looking to take control in this contest. St Therese is coming off a bye and should be fresh for the 8pm contest, with Jake Hederics impressing up the other end in the Mixed Division last week and could be the player to take on Levi, while Riley Richardson is one who could control the midcourt.

In other contest, the top of the table Seahawks will look to take full advantage of their nearest rivals facing off, with a clash against fourth placed City Heat. The Heat will be far from pushovers though, rated the second highest scoring side – behind the Seahawks – though have conceded far more goals than anyone else this season. Judging off past results, this could be a high-scoring contest.

Meanwhile something will have to give between winless sides the Sirens and Ariels in the bottom-two clash. The Sirens did pick up a draw against DDNA in Round 2, but the winner of the contest will leapfrog the sides and jump as high as fourth on the table. DDNA has the bye in Round 4.

LADDER AFTER ROUND 3

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION: ROUND 4 FIXTURES

Sirens vs. Ariels (Court 6, 8:00pm)
St Therese vs. Netblacks (Court 7, 8:00pm)
City Heat vs. Seahawks (Court 8, 8:00pm)

Bye: DDNA

~

MIXED PREMIER DIVISION

Looking at the Mixed Premier Division, all three games are on at the late time slot of 9:20pm. Much like the Men’s grade, there is an undefeated clash between Parkville Panthers and Melbourne Quakes. Both sides have had a respective bye in the past two weeks but are two from two in the matches they have played. Despite this, the Panthers go in as strong favourites, with an outstanding defence that has conceded just 25.5 goals per game, whilst the Quakes have conceded 51.5. The Quakes have been the higher scoring side with 57.5 goals per game compared to the Panthers’ 51.5.

The combination of Hederics and goal defence Georgette Paatsch completely nullied the Valley Wolves goalers, and will need to do it again against the strong Quakes outfit. David Chisholm provides height inside the goal circle, teaming up alongside Rebecca Winch who played well in the Round 1 win over Ariels. Whilst the Panthers defence has been able to nullify their opponents thus far, they will have a tougher task against the Quakes, and will need to be at their best to get the result and remain undefeated.

Speaking of undefeated, the top of the table Geelong Cougars continue to cruise along, with the likes of Jake Noonan and Mel Bragg controlling the midcourt. They face the fifth placed NNE Vipers who picked up their first win last week over Eastside Sonics, led by the great work of Bridget Ryan in the goal circle, shooting 13 first half goals. The Ariels face the Valley Wolves in the other contest tonight, with the last placed Sonics earning a reprieve with a bye in Round 4, looking to really kick-start their season from Round 5.

LADDER AFTER ROUND 3

MIXED PREMIER DIVISION: ROUND 4 FIXTURES

NNE Vipers vs. Geelong Cougars (Court 8, 9:20pm)
Ariels vs. Valley Wolves (Court 9, 9:20pm)
Melbourne Quakes vs. Parkville Panthers (Court 10, 9:20pm)

Bye: Eastside Sonics