THERE are only two more rounds until finals, meaning Round 12 of the Men’s Premier Division will see the stakes raised and some ladder-defining clashes in hope to secure that all elusive top four spot and chance at the premiership.

VIC M-League 2019
Men’s Premier Division – Round 12
13/11/2019
7:00pm

The Geelong Cougars will be looking to extend their lead at the top against the lower placed Southern Seahawks. The Cougars currently sit one game clear of the Sirens who play Melbourne City Blackhawks this round, while cellar dwellers Ariels and DDNA are set to face off. The Ariels are yet to win a game but could be gifted with their biggest opportunity this round having come close to DDNA last time they met. Arguably one of the biggest games of the round is the contest between the third placed St Therese and fourth placed Pasifika Sharks.

Both St Therese and Pasifika Sharks have plenty to play for and a wealth of firepower across the court but have struggled to maintain four that intensity for a full four quarters. Expect a physical contest with both sides unwilling to give an inch or leave any stone unturned in hope to well and truly secure a top four spot. The Sharks have a tendency to fade in and out of games but can score quickly thanks to towering shooter Junior Levi who can quite literally pluck the ball out of mid-air. Levi can also pose a threat defensively able to switch into goal keeper and pick off passes to repel any forward forays from the opposition. The combination of Levi and Cameron Powell is deadly if let off the leash early able to exploit the space and score easily while Poni Smith is no easy feat whether he is donning the goal shooter or goal keeper bib. St Therese are not without their own guns though, with Dylan and Corey Nexhip a dominant duo across the court despite being up opposite ends of the court. 16-year-old Tristan Comans will have his work cut out for him up against the likes of Powell and Levi but has plenty of raw star power. Through the midcourt Riley Richardson and Guy Keane are crucial for St Therese acting as that calming figure and delivering the ball into the circle with ease making for a tantalising and intense battle.