With one hand on the Geelong & District Netball League minor premiership, Thomson enters the final two rounds in stunning form after thrashing fourth-placed Winchelsea.
The Tigers are a game and a half clear in top spot and are coming off a 66 to 27 mauling of Winch, which had no answers at Eastern Reserve on Saturday.
Thomson faces second placed East Geelong this weekend and will round off the home and away season with a trip to Bannockburn.
Coach Shannyn Leach said the huge win against Winchelsea was her side’s best four-quarter performance of the season.
“I thought we’d win, but I didn’t think it would be to that extent,” she said.
“I was confident in what we’ve been putting together since we lost against Belmont. To win like that and to keep pushing, I thought it was pretty phenomenal by the girls.
“It was a team effort. I think they reconnected again and the intensity and the work rate was just up there.”
Winchelsea had no answer to the dominance of Thomson goalers Bree Caldwell (35 goals from 38 attempts) and Emma Witham (31 from 35).
“Bree’s been really consistent shooting at around 90 percent pretty much most weeks,” Leach said.
“And yesterday her and Emma both did a bit of work on the goal ring and clearing and finding space and things like that.
“So they’ve been doing a fair bit of work in there and it’s really paid off over the last month or so.”
Leach said she was “excited” at the prospect of testing her team against the second placed Eagles. The Tigers prevailed by four goals in the two sides’ round 6 meeting earlier in the season.
“It’s good coming into finals to really test you and find out where you’re at,” she said.
“They’re going to be a really good test. Steph Boyce didn’t play last time we played them. So I’m excited for it and excited for the contest.”
A win would see Thomson clinch the minor premiership and a week’s rest in the opening week of the finals.
“I’ve never really liked it – finishing on top, but I think it’s good for the girls because they’ve worked damn hard this season and I think probably a weekend off would be great for them,” Leach said.
“There’s a couple of little niggling injuries across the board, and who doesn’t have them at the moment, but it might be better to have that a bit of a break. I think it’s also a testament to the season they’ve had, too, if they do finish on top.”
INVERLEIGH will play finals after defeating Belmont Lions 56 to 44. Adelaide Annand was superb in defence for the Hawks while the Lions will need to win one of their final two games to stay in third place.
EAST Geelong kept its slim hopes of finishing on top with a 50 to 29 win against Bell Post Hill. Madeline Solly alternated in defence and attack while Casey McFadyen had a great battle with Ebony Stiles at centre.
GEELONG West Giants chalked up win number two for the season with a 53 to 34 win against North Geelong. Kirsten Martin was outstanding in defence while Marney McRandall was the Magpies’ best in attack.
BANNOCKBURN won a thriller against Anakie, 44 to 42. Rhiarn Shaw (39 goals) was prolific in attack and Mikaela Minns did her job at the other end of the court.
WERRIBEE Centrals defeated Corio 43 to 13 with defender Alual Garang best while Charli Leech did her bit in midcourt for the Devils.
