SWNFL 2023: Race towards finals tightens as teams look to stray from the pack

As the business end of the 2023 South West Netball Football League season draws closer, three teams are battling it out to make a late break towards a finals berth.

Donnybrook Blackwood, Carey Park and South Bunbury all occupy fifth to seventh place on the league ladder, each with three wins to their name.

With six rounds left of the regular season until the SWNFL finals, the Ravens, the Panthers and the Tigers all face an uphill battle to try to chase down Busselton (6-5) and Bunbury (6-3) for a top four spot.

As the league division features eight teams in contention, only the top four will progress through to the finals in September.

Carey Park and South Bunbury are set to battle each other at the South West Sports Centre, with the Panthers looking to start building a late winning streak after holding off Augusta Margaret River 55-38 last weekend.

While the Hawks were competitive throughout the match, Carey Park made the most of a 16-goal first quarter effort to give themselves a head-start towards the win.

On the other hand, South Bunbury will return from a two-week stint away from the court, having most recently been on the receiving end of a 71-37 drubbing from Eaton in round 14.

The last time Carey Park and South Bunbury faced off was in round five, when South Bunbury held off Carey Park 45-36.

Meanwhile at Geographe Leisure Centre, a fierce battle is set to take place between Busselton and Bunbury as they look to take their chances at chasing down second-placed Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault.

With both sides having six wins for the season and separated by percentage, it is set to be an exciting contest.

Busselton will be looking to continue building form after defeating Donnybrook Blackwood 67-52 last weekend, while Bunbury will be returning from a bye.

The last time the two sides met in round five, Bunbury outlasted Busselton to win 65-58 in a tight contest.

On Saturday, Augusta Margaret River will be keen to notch a win in their second-last game of their campaign but will face a tough challenge against Eaton at the Eaton Recreation Centre, while Donnybrook Blackwood will be looking to bounce back from their round 15 loss to Busselton when they host the returning Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault at Bridgetown Leisure Centre.