Top-side tangle: little difference between ladder leaders heading into finals

All eyes will be on the ladder-leading sides this weekend, with one of the tightest ever races to finals beginning to shape up in All Flags Premier League history.

In the men's All Flags Premier League, just two points separates first and fourth positions, with Melville and Reds both on 43 points, trailed by University of WA and Victoria Park on a equal 41 points. 

A similar story can be told in the women's competition, Victoria Park and University of WA both holding 32 points atop the ladder, just a one-point buffer in front of both Wolves and Hale, both on 31 points. 

The form of Melville's men's side is currently in question, after last weekend the side lost to a ninth-placed Fremantle Cockburn at Pulse stadium. 

On Sunday, August 15 the top side will line up against Westside Wolves, with the last time these two matched up resulting in the latter able to grab the three-point victory. 

In the women's All Flags Premier League, Lions has now jumped its way into fifth position and this weekend will take on UWA at Lemnos Field. 

With just three matches left to play before finals commences, University of WA will look to jump to the top of the ladder with a win, but a victory from Lions won't be enough, the 12-point gap too big to now close in three weeks. 

Curtin University will host Victoria Park in a Perth Hockey Stadium derby, a win from Victoria Park meaning the side will hold top spot for yet another week. 

In other men's matches for the opening day of the weekend, WASPs will verse Old Guildfordians, Whitford will clash with Victoria Park and Hale will look to defeat YMCC. 

Sunday's action will see a men's match between wooden-spoon-contending Curtin University and finals-contending Reds, UWA taking on an in-form Fremantle Cockburn, which defeat Melville at the weekend and drew 0-0 with Reds on Tuesday evening. 

A Sunday afternoon fixture will consist of the Melville women hosting Wolves on what is forecast to be a beautiful sunny day. 

In the women's round 16, Hale will take on YMCC, which will play 2022 in Premier Two after relegation is now certain for the side, only securing one win so far this season. 

The Reds women will come up into the league after a win over Curtin 2 last week earned the minor premiership and promotion rights. 

For 2022, the men's All Flags Premier League teams will remain the same, with no Premier Two sides qualifying for promotion. 

THIS WEEKEND

Saturday August 14

Women's WASPs vs North Coast Raiders

15:30 at Perth Hockey Stadium

Women's Lions vs University of WA

15:30 at Lemnos Field

Women's Hale vs YMCC

16:00 at Hale School

Men's WASPs vs OGMHC

17:00 at Perth Hockey Stadium

Men's Whitford vs Victoria Park 

17:30 at Warwick Hockey Centre

Men's Hale vs YMCC

17:30 at Hale School

Sunday August 15

Men's Curtin vs Reds

12:30 at Perth Hockey Stadium

Women's Melville vs Wolves

14:30 at Pulse Stadium

Women's Curtin vs Victoria Park 

15:30 at Perth Hockey Stadium

Men's Melville vs Wolves

16:00 at Pulse Stadium

Men's Fremantle Cockburn vs University of WA

16:00 at Lakelands Hockey & Sporting Facility