This weekend sees the final home and away round for the 2011 ANZ Championship season, and it couldn't be a more exciting finale for the world's best netball league.
While the Queensland Firebirds and First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic have already guaranteed their part in the 2011 Finals Series, the remaining two spots are still very much up for grabs.
The Melbourne Vixens, NSW Swifts and LG Mystics are all locked on 16 points, with just under 3 percentage points separating them.
For the Vixens and Swifts, this is the chance for redemption; the Vixens suffered the renowned premiership hoodoo in 2010, missing out on the finals altogether after winning the title in 2009, while the Swifts missed out on a Grand Final appearance despite winning every match throughout the 2010 home and away series. For the Mystics, this is the chance to finally live up to their promise and become the third New Zealand team to experience ANZ Championship finals netball.
Sunday's match at Hisense Arena between the Vixens and Swifts will be an absolute thriller, and looks like attracting a crowd of over 9,000. The winner of that match will be on their way to the Semi Finals, while the loser will be relying on the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel to defeat the LG Mystics if they're to have a chance of retaining their top four spot. Saturday 30 April Mercury Energy Tactix v Queensland Firebirds 4.20pm, CBS Arena, Christchurch
Sunday 1 May Melbourne Vixens v NSW Swifts 2.20pm, Hisense Arena, Melbourne
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v LG Mystics 6.20pm, Stadium Southland's ILT Velodrome, Invercargill
Monday 2 May First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic v Haier Pulse 7.40pm, Taupo Events Centre, Taupo
Adelaide Thunderbirds v West Coast Fever 7.10pm, ETSA Park, Adelaide
