TASMANIA arrives on the NAB League Girls stage this weekend with a pair of fixtures against Melbourne’s east and west at RAMS Arena. With Western Jets getting the chance to host the Devils under lights on Friday night, the round will extend over three days and seven matches to accommodate the league-first. In other games, the top four sides are set to play off in what will be a bumper Round 7 with finals implications in play.

WESTERN JETS v. TASMANIA DEVILS
Friday April 26, 6:00pm
RAMS Arena

Tasmania makes history in the NAB League girls competition, becoming the first non-Victorian team to participate when it faces Western Jets in their first of two hit-outs for the weekend. The Jets have the honour of acting as the Devils’ first host, with the two set to do battle in a rare Friday night fixture. After getting on the board in Round 5, the Jets came crashing back down to Earth last time out as ladder-leaders, Geelong kept them goalless in a 75-point trouncing. With the likes of Mia King heading the side’s top end talent, Tasmania will count themselves in with a good chance against the second-bottom Jets as they come into their first clash with fresh legs. Despite playing on neutral ground, Western will gain confidence on the back of its greater competition experience, as well as squad replenishment after the AFL Academy had its first hit-out. A tight tussle should ensue, and it will provide a good chance to view Tasmanian talent before the National Championships.

CALDER CANNONS v. GEELONG FALCONS
Saturday April 27, 12:00pm
RAMS Arena

It is first against third at RAMS Arena as the Calder Cannons host league-leaders, Geelong Falcons in the first of four Saturday games. The Cannons are the best-placed of three teams with a 4-2 record, with both losses coming in the last three rounds. Meanwhile, the Falcons sit pretty atop the table with a perfect record, with their only significant challenge coming against Dandenong in Round 5 where they trailed at half time. As two of the competition’s more free-scoring sides, neutrals will hope the typically blustery conditions in Craigieburn will not take away from what is set to be an exciting spectacle, and one where Calder can consolidate its spot as a genuine finals contender with a big performance. The Falcons have not failed to soar yet though, and are always a safe bet – especially after already overcoming a sight of adversity this season.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS v. OAKLEIGH CHARGERS
Saturday April 27, 1:00pm
Shepley Oval

A chance to remain in the hunt for finals is up for grabs as Dandenong Stingrays hosts Oakleigh Chargers on Saturday afternoon. Oakleigh’s draw against Northern is the only thing separating the two sides, with both enjoying three wins to this point. With the Stingrays suffering consecutive losses and the away side coming off an impressive 54-point victory, this could act as the perfect opportunity for Oakleigh to charge into the top four, with the current finals spot-holders all playing off this weekend. It will not be easy for them, although Dandenong is 0-2 in home games, but have plenty on the line in a potentially season-defining game.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS v. SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS
Saturday April 27, 1:00pm
Norm Minns Oval

Murray Bushrangers and Sandringham Dragons will look to join the back of the finals pack with a win as they face off in Wangaratta. The Dragons sit a spot above their weekend rivals in eighth, with both sides accumulating 2-4 records to this point. The home side has conceded over 60 more points than their counterparts though, and is yet to add to its wins in Rounds 2 and 3. On the other hand, Sandringham finds itself on a winning streak after narrowly toppling Oakleigh in Round 5 and GWV last time out. Hoping their form will continue, the Dragons are poised well to collect another four points on the road – especially since Murray went down heavily to Oakleigh, which Sandringham beat the week before. The Bushrangers are hardly walkovers though, despite a down last few weeks and should stand up at home.

GIPPSLAND POWER v. GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS
Saturday April 27, 2:45pm
Shepley Oval

With just one win between them, Gippsland Power and the Greater Western Victoria Rebels will both see this fixture as a chance to add a notch to their respective win tallies. While bottom side, Gippsland remains winless, the Power has shown enough to suggest there is some good talent within its ranks. The Rebels, meanwhile, lay claim to the sole win between the two sides, overcoming Bendigo all the way back in Round 1 in a spirited effort. They have proven to be competitive across other games two, with their closest loss coming in Round 6 to Sandringham (seven points). Gippsland has bridged their smallest gaps to within the 20’s, but has largely struggled to put winnable scores on the board, while also conceding more than any team. While both teams have struggled at times, this should be a close encounter which will see one team over the moon after the final siren.

EASTERN RANGES v. TASMANIA DEVILS
Sunday April 28, 11:00am
RAMS Arena

Eastern Ranges hosts the Tasmania Devils’ second NAB League hit-out, opening up Sunday’s proceedings. Playing two days prior to this game could work in one of two ways for the Devils – they could either come in raring to go after getting a good taste for NAB League action, or they could come in depleted after a tough hit-out against Western. Either way, Eastern will look to continue its steady form and break into the finals bracket given the current top four sides all play off against each other in the same round. While a loss would unlikely see them fall completely out of contention, the Ranges’ lower percentage means their win/loss record is paramount to their chances of progressing to the off-season.

BENDIGO PIONEERS v. NORTHERN KNIGHTS
Sunday April 28, 1:00pm
Epsom Huntly Reserve

The second top-four clash brings Northern Knights up the Midland Highway to face fourth-placed Bendigo at Epsom Huntly Reserve to conclude the round. The undefeated Knights have just one blemish on an otherwise perfect record, drawing with Oakleigh in Round 2. With some of their stars returning from Academy duties, last year’s grand finalists will be confident of adding to their four wins since. Bendigo have proven to be no pushovers though, finding themselves in the middle of two other 4-2 sides on the back of three-consecutive wins. While their last loss came in a drubbing at the hands of Geelong, the Pioneers have looked better for it since and should approach this next challenge against premiership fancies with vigour. The battle between Bendigo’s sturdy key defenders and Northern’s forward should prove an interesting one, and could well decide the game. With the result impacting finals positions and only two rounds to come, expect these sides to put it all on the line.