By Lachlan Onions
A HOME qualifying final is on the line when the Mount Gambier Pioneers women’s team does battle this weekend.
The Pioneers have a blockbuster away double-header for the final round of the season with the knowledge that the lowest they can finish is fifth place.
For Mount Gambier, the equation is simple – win both games and it will have all but assured second place.
There is a scenario where the Pioneers win both games but still finish third – however it is unlikely.
This would involve Mount Gambier narrowly defeating Waverley and Eltham with Waverley then claiming a strong win over Geelong on Sunday to bridge the gap on percentage.
Looking at the ladder, the Waverley Falcons – who the Pioneers are set to face in the first game of their double-header – are in second place with a win/loss record of 16 and four.
The Pioneers are third with 15 wins and five losses and both the Falcons and Pioneers have double-headers to end the season.
Frankston is fourth with 15 wins and six losses but only has one game left in the season, while Geelong is in fifth with 14 wins and six losses with two games to play.
For the Pioneers, the game against Waverley is a must-win.
If Mount Gambier suffers defeat to the Falcons then the highest they can finish is third.
When these two sides faced off earlier in the year, the Pioneers claimed a 16-point win without Imogen Rock, Cassandra Brown and Zitina Aokuso.
During that game at Wulanda, Miela Goodchild showed inspired form as she stacked the scoresheet with 37 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Haliegh Reinoehl was also at her best in the reverse fixture as she recorded a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Falcons, Rebecca Cole, Renae Mokrzycki and Maddi Utti will be the players to watch.
Cole has been the standout player with 21 points per game, while Mokrzycki and Utti have combined for 25 points per game in the frontcourt.
Waverley’s strength is largely in the paint and is where its depth is at its strongest.
As a result, Aokuso, Brown and Reinoehl will be important players for the Pioneers in terms of matchups.
Brown has continued her impressive form and averages 19.86 points and eight rebounds per game, while Reinoehl averages 14.6 points and 6.75 rebounds per game.
They will be supported by Isabella Brancatisano and Sherrie Calleia, who have been consistent players on both ends of the floor this season.
Looking at the Eltham Wildcats roster, Anneli Maley will pose a major threat to the Pioneers as she heads into this clash off the back of a double-double with 24 points and 22 rebounds against Kilsyth last weekend.
Maley has been a consistent performer for Eltham with 18.2 points and 16.6 rebounds per game.
Louise Forsyth and Rebecca Pizzey will be players the Pioneers will need to lockdown as well.
Forsyth has averaged more than 16 points per game, while Pizzey averages 14.17 points and 9.39 rebounds per game.
Both of these clashes will test the Pioneers, especially on the road and the full strength of the roster will be needed.
Mount Gambier will face the Falcons at 6pm on Saturday and then take on the Wildcats on Sunday with action to tip-off at 11.30am.
