NETBALL
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The race for the final place in the Illawarra netball finals is heating up, but SMJ coach Kerry Jones isn't losing any sleep over the situation.
SMJ is one of three clubs - joining Shellharbour Sporties and WNC WBRSL - tied on 12 competition points and fighting it out for the coveted fourth place on the ladder.
SS Vipers, Brindles and Wests Titans have already assured themselves a finals berth, and will finish as the top three teams at the end of the home-and-away season.
But with just two rounds to play, fourth spot is well and truly up for grabs.
Currently, Sporties sit fourth thanks to a slightly superior for-and-against percentage.
Whether SMJ qualify for finals or not, Jones couldn't be happier with the commitment of her players this year.
"What will be will be - we've struggled this year with players switching between different teams," Jones said.
"I think we've had seven players this year who have represented NSW in one sport or another.
"We lost two defenders early this year, one to a knee reconstruction and one made the state team, then went modeling overseas.
"That's life, they are all young girls who are doing really well, and I'm impressed that they keep coming back and playing.
"We'll still play, that's the way it goes.
"No excuses, if we make finals at the end of the day that's great."
SMJ almost pulled off an upset over Wests last week which would have almost assured them fourth spot on the ladder.
The Titans managed to sneak away with the win, 50-47 on Saturday.
"It was a really good game," Jones said.
SMJ has another chance to knock off a top-three club when they take on Brindles on Saturday.
The two clubs regularly train against one another, and Jones is confident her troops have what it takes to get the chocolates.
Meantime, Shellharbour and WNC WBRSL will go head-to-head this weekend in a game could determine fourth place at the end of the round.