Thanks to Victoria's lockdown, the Central Highlands Netball League will enjoy a maximum three more rounds before the finals begin.
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It's disappointing to lose games, however, a glass half full approach would help see the evenness of the competition and the amount of teams still fighting for a top eight spot.
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12 sides stand a chance to make the finals as the ladder stands, meaning the return game after lockdown holds a lot of weight in particular teams seasons.
Buninyong
9 wins, 0 losses, 44 pts, 420.15 per cent
The best defensive side in the league with a run home it should feel confident in going 3-0 in, but will provide some timely tough games coming into finals.
The Bombers have nearly locked away a top four spot, the most important thing for their premiership hopes.
Run home: Carngham-Linton (a), Waubra (a), Skipton (h).
Hepburn
8 wins, 0 losses, 40 pts, 354.12 per cent
The best offensive side in the league that, similar to Buninyong, have a run home it should feel confident of going 3-0 in.
The Burra do have a welcomed tough clash against Learmonth to finish the season before finals, a good test before a push at a second consecutive flag.
Run home: Ballan (h), Clunes (a), Learmonth (h).
Learmonth
7 wins, 1 loss, 36 pts, 232.74
Learmonth enjoyed an undefeated run for much of the season but it came to an end against Springbank in round 11.
If the Lakies can claim wins over Dunnstown and Beaufort, a top four spot will be secured.
A clash with Hepburn will show where they sit heading into another finals campaign.
Run home: Dunnstown (h), Beaufort (h), Hepburn (a).
Rokewood-Corindhap
7 wins, 2 losses, 36 pts, 135.89 per cent
Due to having a bye in what would have been round 14, Rokewood-Corindhap has jumped into the top four and should expect to stay there with a run home it could go 3-0 in.
The Grasshoppers can't afford to lose a game, as Springbank's percentage is stronger. If they win all three, third spot on the ladder could beckon.
Run home: Creswick (h), Ballan (a), Clunes (h).
Springbank
7 wins, 2 losses, 32 pts, 164.12 per cent
With a bye up its sleeve, Springbank enjoy one of the easier runs home of any top eight side.
The Tigers had been finding great form before the stoppage of play, winners of three straight, including a victory over Learmonth.
Due to Rokewood-Corindhap having a bye in what would have been round 14, Springbank dropped outside the top four.
It will be hoping the Grasshoppers stumble so it can take its spot in fourth back.
Run home: Skipton (h), Bungaree (a), bye.
Skipton
5 wins, 4 losses, 28 pts, 102.25 per cent
Skipton has been through a roller coaster season results wise, winning multiple games in a row then losing multiple games on the trot.
Its run home isn't an easy one but it's one that could set the Emus up for a push at an unlikely premiership if they can challenge the top sides, or better yet, beat them.
Run home: Springbank (a), Newlyn (h), Buninyong (a).
Beaufort
5 wins, 4 losses, 24 pts, 107.40 per cent
Losers of three straight games before the stoppage of play, Beaufort's clash against Clunes looms as an important one for its form going into finals and ladder position come the end of the season.
If the Crows can get back to their early season form, they are a dark horse for the premiership.
Run home: Clunes (h), Learmonth (a), bye.
Dunnstown
5 wins, 5 losses, 24 pts, 69.00 per cent
A win over Creswick before the stoppage of play got Dunnstown back into the eight and its season back on track.
Learmonth is a huge test for the Towners but with a bye and Carngham-Linton to come, they should expect to claim eight points to keep the chasing pack at arms length.
Run home: Learmonth (a), bye, Carngham-Linton (h).
Gordon
4 wins, 5 losses, 20 pts, 86.70 per cent
Gordon's season is in its own hands with a welcomed run home possessing two winnable games.
The round 17 fixture against Waubra looms as the match that will decide if the Eagles make the top eight or not.
A win and they are most likely in, a loss and they probably miss the finals.
Run home: bye, Carngham-Linton (a), Waubra (h).
Waubra
3 wins, 5 losses, 20 pts, 77.19 per cent
Waubra's 0-4 start to the season has not helped its finals chances, however, the chance to sneak into eighth remains open.
The Roos have found better form since that start, going 3-1, meaning at least a 2-1 finish to their season is a strong possibility.
Run home: Newlyn (a), Buninyong (h), Gordon (a).
Clunes
3 wins, 5 losses, 20 pts, 62.97 per cent
Like the senior footy, Clunes' A Grade netball side faces one of the toughest run's home in the competition.
Three top eight sides are coming the Magpies way, reigning premier Hepburn one of those.
A win in one of these games would be a great finish to a successful season for a young, up-and-coming Magpies outfit.
Run home: Beaufort (a), Hepburn (h), Rokewood-Corindhap (a).
Newlyn
2 wins, 7 losses, 16 pts, 66.74 per cent
Despite Newlyn's record, it has been competitive in nearly every game this season.
What that means is that the three games on the run home are all winnable for the Cats, which could carry them into 2022 with good form and confidence.
Run home: Waubra (h), Skipton (a), Bungaree (h).
Creswick
2 wins, 7 losses, 12 pts, 71.03 per cent
Creswick was one of the improved sides in the league after the first lockdown, losing to Newlyn and Gordon by two and four goals respectively, results that could have changed its season's fortunes.
Rokewood-Corindhap, who are fighting for a top four spot, will be tough, but Ballan presents a chance at a win to finish the season.
Run home: Rokewood-Corindhap (a), bye, Ballan (h).
Bungaree
2 wins, 7 losses, 12 pts, 63.12 per cent
It's been a rebuilding season for Bungaree, the Demons blooding a host of young players following some senior members of the team not returning for the 2021 season.
Springbank is always a tough task but like many of the sides that won't play finals, have a winnable clash in round 17 to finish the season well.
Run home: bye, Springbank (h), Newlyn (a).
Carngham-Linton
1 win, 8 losses, 12 pts, 51.07 per cent
Carngham-Linton enjoyed a competitive run of games in-between lockdowns, however, the run home doesn't bode well for the Saints.
Improvement has been made on their 2019 season, an important factor as they try to climb up the ladder in the coming seasons.
Run home: Buninyong (h), Gordon (h), Dunnstown (a).
Ballan
0 wins, 8 losses, 8 pts, 33.52 per cent
With a completely new side, it's been a tough start for first-year coach Lucy Gstrein results wise.
The run home won't help Ballan, Hepburn and Rokewood-Corindhap awaiting it.
A winnable clash against Creswick presents itself in round 17, however, one the Blues will be eyeing off.
Run home: Hepburn (a), Rokewood-Corindhap (h), Creswick (a).
Current Ladder
LADDER
1 Buninyong, 44, 420.15
2 Hepburn, 40, 354.12
3 Learmonth, 36, 232.74
4 Rokewood-Corindhap, 36, 135.89
5 Springbank, 32, 164.12
6 Skipton, 28, 102.25
7 Beaufort, 24, 107.40
8 Dunnstown, 24, 69.00
9 Gordon, 20, 86.70
10 Waubra, 20, 77.19
11 Clunes, 20, 62.97
12 Newlyn, 16, 66.74
13 Creswick, 12, 71.03
14 Bungaree, 12, 63.12
15 Carngham, 12, 51.07
16 Ballan, 8, 33.52
Predicted Ladder
1 Buninyong, 56
2 Hepburn, 52
3 Rokewood-Corindhap, 48
4 Learmonth, 44
5 Springbank, 44
6 Beaufort, 32
7 Skipton, 32
8 Dunnstown, 32
9 Gordon, 28
10 Waubra, 28
11 Creswick, 20
12 Newlyn, 20
13 Clunes, 20
14 Bungaree, 16
15 Carngham, 12
16 Ballan, 8
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