South Rovers manages a draw with Merrivale to keep WDFNL finals dream alive

Finals will be on the line for both sides when they meet at Timboon Recreation Reserve.

The sixth-ranked Lions kept their finals dream alive in the most thrilling of ways, playing a 39-39 draw against second-placed Merrivale.

The Lions, who were up at three-quarter time, couldn't keep the Tigers from catching up.

Merrivale went in red-hot favourites because Lions goal shooter Rhi Davis suffered a season-ending knee injury the previous week.

Lions assistant Davis, who mentored from the sidelines, said it was one of the best games of netball she had seen in a while.

"I could not have been any prouder of everyone," she said.

Davis said it was an amazing team effort with some strong individual performances.

"Mardi Vickers (defender) had a superstar game," she said.

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Courtney Bellman, who was up from A reserve, replaced Davis at goal shooter.

"She and Abby (Sheehan) teamed up like they had been playing together all year," Davis said.

The Lions assistant said her side's full-court defensive pressure and intensity was impressive.

Tigers coach Carly Peake, who played the second half, said the Lions came to play.

"They went at every ball and made the most of all their opportunities," she said.

Peake said it was a tough game for her Tigers.

"We struggled to use the ball effectively," she said.

"To be honest, we were probably due for a not so good game."

The Tigers leader said her team needed to work on its ball-use when working up the court.

South Rovers attention has turned to the Dees clash on Saturday.

"With the way some of the results have been this season, next week is obviously do-or-die," Davis said.

"If we win that hypothetically we're still in with a chance."

The Lions are eight points behind Leah Sinnott's fifth-ranked Demons with two rounds to play.

The Demons, which had a bye, sit on 46 points with a percentage of 122.43 and the Lions on 38 points with a percentage of 107.79.

If the Lions beat the Demons and East Warrnambool they are a chance to make finals on percentage.

But they need to the Dees to lose to Nirranda in the final round as well.

South Rovers would also need a percentage-boosting win.

Davis believes her Lions can do it.

"(Yes) If the girls come out and play like they did yesterday," she said.

The Lions mentor said the focus this week would be on continuing their intensity from the Merrivale draw.

Nirranda goalie Sophie Adams, who missed last week, played out of her skin against Kolora-Noorat.

Adams found the net 38 times as the Blues romped to a 74-27 victory over the Power.

Young Power goalie Lily Baker, who shot 10 goals, was impressive in her first full A grade game.

Meanwhile, Stacy Dunkley's Panmure got back on the winners' list with a convincing 52-39 win over Allansford.

Teenager shooters Jacque Dickson and Charlotte Lenehan made for a great combination under the net.

Dunkley said Dickson, who only debuted in round 11, had a stand out game.

"She shot really well, her confidence level shone through," she said.

The Bulldogs mentor said Lenehan showed great leadership under the ring while defender Dani Amundsen was best on court.

Old Collegians beat East Warrnambool 77-56 in a high-scoring affair.

Teenager Chelsea Quinn was best with her 30 goals.

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