ANZ Championship weekend preview

The Queensland Firebirds are at the top of the ANZ Championship table after five tight and unpredictable rounds of competition. With the next round just around the corner, the top four placings are bound to change yet again.

The NSW Swifts have fallen from first to fifth after their heartbreaking one goal loss to the Melbourne Vixens in Newcastle on Monday night. All is not lost for the Swifts however as they come up against the Firebirds on Saturday at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and have the opportunity to knock them off their perch.

The Firebirds are undefeated on home soil and would love to keep that unblemished record intact. The Swifts on the other hand will be keen to spoil the party and redeem themselves after they let crucial opportunities slip in their match against the Vixens. Vicki Wilson's Firebirds have been quietly going about their business in 2008, but all eyes will be on them if they can overcome the Swifts. The visitor's backline will be put under pressure with the huge task of taming the Romelda Aiken juggernaut. The speed though the mid court from the Firebirds will be key to keeping the Swifts at arm's length. The contest between in form Swifts skipper, Catherine Cox and rising star Laura Geitz will be one to see. It’s the stalwart against the talented gritty youngster, both players have been impressive in their respective lines, and a big game will be needed from both players in this huge round six clash.

Stadium Southland will need to come alive in a bid to resurrect their beloved Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel this weekend when they face the SCOPE Tactix in a must win game for both sides. Both teams are sitting on two wins a piece with their last face to face, in round three, going in Steels favour. The Tactix will be fresh coming into their round six encounter after having the bye last weekend. For the Steel they will need to quickly forget their performance against the LG Mystics where they led for the entire game before the Mystics stole the points in the final stages. This game shapes as a very even affair with both sides rich in talent. The mid court battle between Julie Seymour and Liana Barrett-Chase will again play a major role in the outcome. Steel enforcer Megan Hutton will need to produce a disciplined performance against the shooting talent of Jodi Brown.

Monday night netball will see the Adelaide Thunderbirds host the West Coast Fever. The Fever, with only one win so far this season is coming off a heavy loss to the Firebirds. The Thunderbirds have been gradually building with every outing and after the weeks rest should be ready to soar in front of their passionate crowd at ETSA Park. Natalie Medhurst has been a standout contributor in the shooting circle for the Thunderbirds and her connection with centre Natalie von Bertouch has been slick. Alex Clarke in wing attack is growing with every match, her understanding and linkage with von Bertouch in the attacking end is becoming a very dangerous duo. Fever’s shooting machine Caitlin Bassett will be put to the test as she faces off with English import Geva Mentor.

The final match of the round will see the ColourPlus Magic host the LG Mystics with current and former Silver Ferns flooding the court. The Mystics had their first win last weekend with a brave fight back against the Steel to keep their season dreams alive. The Magic will need to be on their game in this clash with the debut win surely enough reason to give the visitors hope of an upset. Only four goals separated the sides in round two and with the quality of players on show, a close match can be predicted. This game will have many match ups to enjoy, the clash in the middle between Laura Langman and Tempera George, national team mates Maria Tutaia against Leana De Bruin and Irene Van Dyk going head to head with the force of Vilimaina Davu.

The Melbourne Vixens and the Suzuki Pulse have the bye in round six.