By Stephanie Smarrelli
The top four are locked in.
But before the race to the premiership hits boiling point, one question remains.
Who hosts the Minor Semi Final?
The battle for third is going right down to the wire, with the Mavericks and Fever separated by less than one per cent on the ladder.
With the Mavericks set to play first this weekend, pressure will be on Fever on Sunday afternoon.
But standing in their way will be one of the league's strongest contenders, the Melbourne Vixens.
The Vixens have already secured their place in the Major Semi Final and will head to Adelaide next weekend to face the Thunderbirds. But after back-to-back losses, they’re under pressure to rediscover their best netball before finals arrive.
While anything can happen this weekend, what we know for sure is that whenever these two sides meet, sparks fly.
The last time they met, the Vixens stunned Fever’s RAC Arena with a six-goal victory, silencing the home crowd.
They will not have forgotten Round 7 and they definitely will not have forgotten last year’s Grand Final, setting up a thrilling clash in Melbourne at John Cain Arena this weekend.
Fever have lost their last two games against the Vixens.
Both teams enter the match with some form concerns having lost three of their past five matches but that only adds another layer of intrigue to this weekend’s clash.
Momentum is everything at this time of year, and a win on Sunday could provide the perfect launchpad heading into the most important month of the season.
If the contest is decided by pressure, few players loom larger than Kate Eddy.
Eddy was everywhere when these teams met earlier this season.
Her relentless pressure generated four gains, three intercepts and three deflections as she helped disrupt Fever's attacking rhythm.
But last time Fever were missing a key piece of their attack, Alice Teague-Neeld.
The Fever midcourter missed the Round 7 clash but returns as one of Fever's most influential players.
With 337 feeds and 137 goal assists she’s one of Fever’s best when it comes to delivering the ball into the goal circle.
But if Eddy can slow her influence, that could go a long way towards determining the result this weekend.
For the Vixens, when Kiera Austin is firing, few players are more dangerous.
Eddy will have a big job against Teague-Neeld this weekend.
The Vixens’ star has the ability to completely change the course of a match in a matter of minutes, whether she's creating opportunities through movement or nailing Suncorp Super Shots.
Austin is shooting at 78 per cent this season, including 66 per cent during Power Five periods and 82 per cent during regular one-point play.
While her recent form hasn't quite reached the heights we've come to expect, the biggest stars often save their best for the biggest moments.
With finals looming, expect Austin to attack this contest with intent.
Standing in her way is one of the league's most underrated defensive weapons, Fran Williams.
The Fever defender continues to lead the side’s defensive charge, combining relentless work rate with ball-winning ability.
Likewise, the Vixens have their own ball winners including Emily Mannix.
The experienced defender is building form at exactly the right time of year and has been one of the Vixens' most consistent performers despite the team's recent struggles.
She collected seven gains against the Thunderbirds in Round 12 and backed it up with another four against the Mavericks last week.
After missing last year's premiership, Mannix will enter Round 14 and the upcoming Finals Series with plenty of motivation.
Williams will put the Vixens under pressure.
But on Sunday she'll have her hands full against one of the greatest goalers the game has seen.
Romelda Aiken-George who is a constant threat under the post and isn’t afraid to attempt a Suncorp Super Shot either.
If Fever miss, she's usually the first player to the rebound.
Her experience, strength and ability to command the circle make her a crucial part of Fever's line up this weekend.
For Fever the stakes are high, a win could secure a home Minor Semi Final and mean they avoid a potentially season-defining interstate trip next week.
While the Vixens may already have their spot in the Major Semi Final secured, don't expect them to take their foot off the pedal.
A victory would not only halt their recent form slump but also send a powerful message to the competition.
REST OF THE ROUND
Saturday night the Lightning host the minor premiers.
For the Sunny Coast, it's one last opportunity to finish the season on a high, while for the Thunderbirds, it's about maintaining momentum and sharpening their game ahead of finals.
Then comes a crucial clash between the Mavericks and Firebirds.
The Mavericks are battling to keep third place on the ladder.
The Mavericks will be chasing a win to give themselves the best shot of hosting the Minor Semi Final.
But the Firebirds have shown all season they refuse to back down from a challenge and will be desperate to close their campaign with a statement performance against one of the league’s in-form sides.
Then the round concludes on Sunday afternoon with the NSW derby as the GIANTS and Swifts face off.
The GIANTS are still searching for their first win of the season and will do everything in their power to change their win record from zero to one.
They’ll also have extra motivation to win to farewell GIANT Jane Watson in style. While Watson’s 2026 season was disrupted by injury, she’s been a key figure in the club throughout the season and is expected to return for one last game.
Meanwhile the Swifts will be determined to finish their own 2026 campaign with pride having dealt with their own injury setbacks throughout the year.
