Vipers seek top two finish in Illawarra netball

Southern Suburbs Vipers will battle player unavailability as they look to secure a top-two finish on the Illawarra Netball ladder over the coming month.

The Vipers have a handful of players on the "out" list due to injuries and holidays, and coach Heath Sangster admits it's been a trying time for the club.

He was forced to call on lower division player Holly Madaschi last week, who pulled on the wing attack bib to help out the premier league team.

But after romping to a 54-37 win over finals contender SMJ, Sangster admits it may not be the worst situation to be in.

"It was probably one of our better games on the court," Sangster said.

"Holly Madaschi played wing attack for the whole game for us and she really stepped up.

"She slotted into the team like she had been there all season.

"We've got a player overseas and a couple out injured.

"I think two will be out for the season, and one girl has moved away but should come back for the double-headers and for finals. But all clubs have had to deal with injuries and players missing for the season."

The Vipers sit comfortably in second spot on the standings at the moment, just one win behind Brindles.

They have three games left to leapfrog Brindles into first place and win the minor premiership.

Vipers will go up against Dapto Storm and Corrimal BaiMed in a double-header this weekend, then have a week off due to the bye.

They finish the season by taking on Wests Titans in the last round before finals. Sangster knows how important a top-two finish is. "We won't let ourselves back off towards the end of the season," he said.

"Knowing that we would be missing players at this time of year we were aiming for the one-two spots, giving us the chance to win that first final and have a week off."

SMJ, Cadets, Shellharbour Sporties, and WNC WBRSL will battle it out for fourth place.