City showdown: Monash University's Lil O'Sullivan reaches for the ball against City West's Christie Barnes earlier this season. The two clubs will face off for a place in the Victorian Netball League championship division grand final on Wednesday night. Picture: Michael Copp
MONASH University Central will aim to send two sides to Victorian Netball League grand finals this Wednesday night.
Central's championship and division 1 sides have both made the major semi-final in their respective competitions, with the major semi-final winners from each game going straight into grand finals.
The Central championship team will play minor premiers City West Falcons while Central division 1 finished top of its competition and faces Boroondara Genesis.
Under the VNL's top-four system the loser of the major semi-final plays the winner of the minor semi-final in a preliminary final to decide the other grand finalist.
Central championship coach Leesa Maxfield said the results from both sides were a good reflection on the club.
"It's great to see the depth we have as a club. Our under-19s just missed out on finals as well," she said.
Maxfield said her side faced a major test to beat the Falcons, who had scored close wins in their two previous meetings this season.
"We have played the Falcons in finals for a number of years so we know what to expect in regards to how they play, " she said.
"When you lose by eight goals or less it's just two goals a quarter difference so you have to stop your errors and missed opportunities."
Central will go into the semi-final without goalkeeper Georgie Davenport (ankle injury) and captain Lauren Bennett, who will miss the remainder of the season as she is pregnant.
"Georgie has already been out for two weeks so we should get her back later in the finals but Lauren will be out. We have played the last few games of the season without her," Maxfield said.
VNL championship finals
Major semi-final: City West Falcons v Monash University Central, State Netball and Hockey Centre court No.1, Parkville, Wednesday night 9.40pm.
Minor semi final: Peninsula Waves v VU Western Lightning, SNHC court No.2, Wednesday night 9.40pm.
The winner of the major semi-final goes through to the grand final on August 4. The loser of the major semi-final plays the winner of the minor semi-final in the preliminary final at the SNHC on July 25 at 8.40pm.