WITH six rounds remaining in the Mininera and District Netball Association 2023 home and away season, there is still six teams with a realistic chance of playing finals.

Tatyoon, Ararat and Woorndoo-Mortlake occupy the first three rungs on the ladder and appear assured of a finals spot, but Lismore-Derrinallum, Hawkesdale-Macarthur and Penshurst are all vying for the final two places.

SMW Rovers will travel to Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve today to battle Hawkesdale-Macarthur knowing that it is playing for pride as a finals place is out of reach.

The Eagles sit on the fifth rung of the ladder, equal on points with Lismore-Derrinallum while the Bulldogs are seventh but are three games adrift of the top five.

In round 10 before the competition broke for the school holidays, the Bulldogs had a good win over Caramut while the Eagles lost to Ararat by 11 goals which could well give the visitors some heart going into this contest.

The home side has the enticement of a finals place dangling in front of them to ensure they win, but Rovers can put a spanner in those works with an upset.

Other games

PENSHURST will defeat Moyston-Willaura today at Moyston Recreation Reserve and depending on the rest at Hawkesdale, may well find itself in the top five when the final siren sounds.

The Bombers sit sixth on the ladder while the Pumas are not as fortunate and occupy last place, but an upset is always on the cards.

Both teams lost in round 10 with the Pumas going down by only two goals to Great Western while the Bombers were behind by 13 at siren against Tatyoon.

Should Penshurst win as expected, the side could well be lifted to as high as fourth spot on the ladder depending on the results of other games.

Glenthompson-Dunkeld will be looking to defeat Great Western at Glenthompson Recreation Reserve and catch SMW Rovers on the ladder when the sides meet today.

The Rams will be fully refreshed after having the last two Saturdays off, while the Lions enjoyed a rare victory in round 10 when they defeated Moyston-Willaura by two goals, but their hosts will be too strong this afternoon.

 The top four teams on the ladder meet today, with undefeated leaders Tatyoon hosting fourth placed Lismore-Derrinallum at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve, and second placed Ararat hosting third placed Woorndoo-Mortlake at Alexandra Oval.

Tatyoon has swept aside all opponents to date and there is no reason that won’t continue this afternoon as the Demons are coming off a thrashing at the hands of Woorndoo-Mortlake in round 10.

Ararat was tested by Hawkesdale-Macarthur in its last game, but that examination will be even tougher against the Tigers today.

This really is a toss of the coin match.