Fusion Heat and the Narromine Hawks have looked destined to play in the Rawson Homes Premiership A Grade finals virtually since the start of the season but who joins them in the top four is still far from certain.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There's just four rounds left in the Dubbo Netball Association regular season and things are heating up in the top grade.
The battle for the minor premiership is one major storyline - Fusion Heat and Narromine are locked on 28 points - but the race for third and fourth is also tight.
Nyngan currently sits third on 24 points and it can go a long way to cementing a top four spot and put the competition on notice this weekend should it defeat Narromine.
READ ALSO:
Dubbo Rhinos Rebels and St Groovers are both on 20 points and are firmly in the mix while the Macquarie Hornets are only a further two points back.
Fusion Wild sits at the bottom on 12 points and has the bye this weekend.
The match between St Groovers and Macquarie could have a real impact on things on Saturday and while Heat will be favoured to get past Rhinos, the Fusion side isn't taking anything for granted.
Heat coach Tash Robinson knows as well as anyone how much sides have improved this season, having been a part of her side's dominant run of success on the court while in 2021 she stuck on as mentor while recovering from a serious knee injury.
Heat has towered over the competition in recent times - having won the past four titles - and Robinson knows that can be a little intimidating for rivals but can she also see the standard of play across the top grade improving.
"A lot of the teams that are in the top four and just below, they're not far apart," Robinson said.
"It's good to see the comp is getting stronger and growing every year.
"I think with a bit more confidence some of those teams could have a really good shot at top four. They just need a bit more belief."