WHERE last round saw not one single ladder change between weeks, Round 9 of the Vitality Netball Superleague took a turn this week as teams flicked the switch and proved just what they are capable of. Whilst further injury issues plague the competition, teams made the most of their opportunities to shake up the ladder. In this new series, each week Draft Central will compare the most recent ladders given how quickly things can change, and delve into how each round of fixturing can change up positions based on the amount of matches each side has played.

ROUND 8 LADDER

1. Team Bath (8-0)
2. Loughborough Lightning (7-1)
3. Wasps Netball (5-2-1)
4. Saracens Mavericks (5-1-1)
5. Manchester Thunder (5-2)
6. Leeds Rhinos (5-4)
7. Strathclyde Sirens (3-4-2)
8. Surrey Storm (2-6)
9. London Pulse (1-7)
10. Severn Stars (1-7)
11. Celtic Dragons (0-8)

ROUND 9 LADDER

1. Team Bath (8-1)
2. Manchester Thunder (7-2)
3. Loughborough Lightning (7-2)
4. Wasps Netball (6-2-1)
5. Saracens Mavericks (6-2-1)
6. Leeds Rhinos (5-4)
7. Strathclyde Sirens (3-4-2)
8. London Pulse (2-8)
9. Surrey Storm (2-6)
10. Severn Stars (2-8)
11. Celtic Dragons (0-9)

While last round’s ladder was intriguing due to its unchanged status from the week prior, Round 9’s ladder was intriguing for doing the complete opposite, as six teams changed standings one week on. Round 9 of VNSL action may well have been one of the biggest rounds of the season so far, as Team Bath’s undefeated run came to an end, whilst Manchester Thunder leapt up the ladder into second with two straight wins over fellow top sides. Saracens Mavericks fell from fourth to fifth as the Wasps dropped out of third credit to Thunder’s winning form, whilst Loughborough Lightning had a huge opportunity to steal top spot from Bath but were unable to capitalise, dropping to third. London Pulse and Severn Stars both got a win and a loss apiece over the weekend, and realistically it is purely percentage that sees the Pulse lift into the top eight this week for the first time this season. They completed a direct swap with Surrey Storm following their Round 9 win over the Stars, with the Storm unfortunately unable to challenge that ladder move given they were dealt a second bye round in a row. Five sides stayed exactly where they were last round as Team Bath retain top spot and Stars and Celtic Dragons remain in 10th and 11th respectively, with the latter still yet to win a match. Sitting midway down the ladder and in the same position as Storm following a bye round this week are sixth ranked Leeds Rhinos and seventh ranked Strathclyde Sirens, with both sides having shown some great form this season and surely raring to go next round. A third double round of action will occur next weekend, with Round 10 and 11 showcasing 10 matches over four days and surely set to send tongues wagging and the ladder shaking once more. For the first time since Round 5/6 all 11 teams will take the court over the course of the weekend, with two games on Friday and Monday sandwiching Saturday and Sunday’s three-game schedules. The Stars and Pulse will rue a chance to really elevate their standings with just one match apiece next weekend whilst the remaining nine sides play twice each, and both sides will take on sides which suffered unusual losses last round, making it a tough round for the two lower ranked sides. Just three sides sit outside the nine-match total heading into Round 10/11, with Surrey Storm the lone side on just eight matches (2-6) whilst fellow low-ranked sides Pulse and Storm sit on 10 games apiece, with Storm set to be the only side at the end of next round to be a game down given fixturing over the past few rounds.

ROUND 8 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap Stats: Round 8

ROUND 9 COVERAGE

Sunday wrap // Monday wrap Stats: Round 9 – Past ladder updates: Round 3 // Round 4 // Round 5/6 // Round 7 // Round 8