Round 13 at the Bupa VNL proved lucky for some while others were not so fortunate in their hunt for victory.
City West’s Championship squad endured their closest match of the season against Saints to just scrape out on top. Across the court at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, Blaze’s Division One girls extended their 1st place prime in the lead up to finals with their twelfth win of the season.
With finals rapidly approaching, only 5 weeks away, competitors have their eyes on the prize and show no signs of slowing down!
Championship
Ariels (39) def by Hawks Netball (57)
Only 2-goals splitting these two teams at the end of the first quarter, Hawks flew away with the win with a blowout final quarter to achieve a sizable 18-goal win over Ariels at the Maroondah Nets.
Emma Thompson, once again, provided great drive for the Ariels in the centre, with plenty of help from Stacey Gannon and Kourtnee Baird in the attack to provide options and reposition themselves when needed. Hawks Wing- Defenders, Enya Broadley and Kelsey Buxton, were instrumental down the court as they got their hands on everything, and took game changing intercepts which allowed Hawks to extend their lead.
Ariels continued to keep themselves in the game Jane Higgs and Shae Kyle working well together to stick on the goalers with a consistent defensive flow. Unfortunately for them, Gee, Keanne and Shannon were too quick thinking for them and moved with precision to place themselves in the best spot for goals. Together they achieved an 82% goaling accuracy with goals spread amongst the three.
Geelong Cougars (63) def Boroondara Express (58)
Second from the bottom of the ladder took on second from the top as Boroondara brought an unexpected but thrilling fight to Geelong. It was a tight contest for the entire first quarter, with only a 4-goal difference at the first break, Geelong up. The ferocity from both sides made for a game of critical defensive pressure, especially with the immense goaling skills at either end of the court.
Boroondara dominantly broke away in the second quarter, literally breaking 6 of Cougars centers to take a 5-goal lead and double Cougars scoring shots. The third quarter saw both squads heat up down the court. Caitlyn Degaris in Boroondara’s defence pounced on Julia Wooley in Geelong’s goals early in the quarter to help maintain her team’s lead.
Wooley and Bridgette Furphy weren’t kept quiet for long, their teamwork in the goals shining as they held one at the top of the circle and the other at the back ready to present options for the midcourt. A standout quarter for the two saw them shoot 17 goals at 100% goal accuracy.
The final quarter ensured both sides left everything on the court. The display from the midcourt was electrifying as Geelong’s Emily Post and Sophie Shoebridge swung onto Hannah Mundy and Eleanor Leydin from Boroondara, resulting in needed turnovers. A powerful final quarter for Geelong allowed them to take bake their lead and finish with a 5-goal win.
Clare Vearing consistent goaling in Boroondara’s goals saw her shoot 46 of her teams’ goals with a goal accuracy of 91%.
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (49) def by City West Falcons (51)
After their closest match of the season against Cougars at Eagle Stadium last week, Falcons faced another tight fight this week as Southern Saints delivered their full force. With Jini Silvingham missing from Falcons goals, the pressure was placed on Uneeq Palavi and Tahnysha Salanoa to secure points for their team.
Nothing but 2-goals splitting Saints and Falcons at the end of the first quarter, Saints elevated their defensive efforts in the goal circle with Stephanie McNay taking a prominent intercept for her team. Tragedy struck Falcons defender, Zoe Davies, who went down to the ground with a bloody nose in the second quarter but with a fighting spirit made it back to the court after getting the all clear.
Control of the match fluctuated as Falcons took back a 1-goal lead at the end of half time, only for Saints to steal it back in the third quarter.
Freeman and McNay may have lacked height against Falcons goalers but their leap and reach over the ball made it hard to notice. The intensity from both sides made for a game of quick transitions. Saints known on court communication was highlighted in their ability to transition the ball through the midcourt, exercising a mere one or two passes in the centre third before throwing some big passes into Sinead Lumsden and Ella Quinlan.
Despite Saints’ efforts, Falcons intensity didn’t weaver during the final quarter which allowed Palavi to shoot her 49th goal for the match and see Falcons take a 2-goal win.
Casey Demons (65) def North East Blaze (53)
Both on the backend of a win, Casey and Blaze entered the match determined to retain that winning feeling. Only 1-goal separating the two at half time, Casey switched gears in the second half to see a 12-goal win and their sixth of the season.
Reigning hot shot award winner, Libby Nicol was again dominant in the goal circle shooting at 87%, contributing 38 of Blaze’s 44 goals. Her coordination with Sarah Hogan matched the dynamic duo of Casey’s Erin Bell and Emma Ryde, making for an interesting battle of the goalers.
Ella Bayliss and Elle McDonald paired well in the midcourt and instinctively knew how to speed up the pace of the match in their favour. However, with an equally vigorous midcourt, Shannon Blackman and Kassidy Withers from Casey kept up with Blaze allowing stoppages and turnovers.
Ryde’s signature hold allowed her to secure 51 goals of Casey’s final 65.
Peninsula Waves v Melbourne University Lightning
Somerville Community and Recreation Centre, Sunday 23rd June at 6:30pm
Division One
Ariels (36) def by Hawks Netball (63)
It was a game of momentum this week for Ariels and Hawks. Still two games behind Blaze and sitting 2nd on the ladder, yet again Hawks needed a win to secure their place in the top 4 heading into the last few weeks before finals. Both teams had their fair share of opportunities and power plays, but Hawks were looking more dangerous in their transition which left Ariels chasing them on court.
Ariels variety of position changes in the midcourt highlighted some impressive combinations and versatility in their players.
Leading by 10-goals at half time, Hawks’ advantage only extended in the second half, seeing them come out on top with a dominant 27-goal win. Daisy Hill and Elle Rice in Hawks’ goal circle proved lethal as they moved with decisiveness and shot with precision. Hill, especially, stood out to contribute 37 goals.
Geelong Cougars (52) def by Boroondara Express (59)
In a battle for 3rd place on the Division One ladder, Boroondara fought hard to secure their position. Cougars entered the match with significant intensity after their draw with City West last week, clearly looking to prove a point.
Taking a 3-goal lead at the end of the first quarter, Boroondara extended their margin by 1-point over the second and third quarter. In an impressive final quarter, they stretched their lead out to 7 to win with a score of 59.
Even with momentum throughout the court, it was in Boroondara’s goal third where the action took new heights. The Wallmeyer duo of Maddy and Emma were direct in their movements and placement on court. Maddy Wallmeyer in Wing-Attack hit the circle edge without fault every time. Boroondara were able to overcome the height difference in their goals by using a variety of passes, getting down low for some sneaky drops and bounce passes.
Strong defence was seen from Cougars Laura Giles in Goal-Keeper as she leapt for rebounds and put pressure over the ball. Abbey Ryan and Ruby Barkmeyer did well to compete with Giles as they moved on the baseline to position themselves optimally to take closer shots.
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (62) def City West Falcons (51)
City West stepped onto the court at the State Netball Centre with a clear sense of determination to see a win instead of a draw. Unfortunately for them, Southern Saints also had victory in their pursuits and were not backing down.
The on court talk between Saints, yelling directions such as “reset” and “push”, was instrumental to Saints starting success. The cohesive movements of Emma Jones, Lorna Clark and Annabelle Gorman made for a killer attack end that left Falcons struggling to keep up with. Saints precision power plays gave them a 7-goal lead at half time.
In a performance similar to last week’s, Saints’ Jacquelyn Carroll played a match based on consistency to get her hands around and over the ball and force needed turnovers.
The third quarter saw Falcons heighten their intensity and improve the execution of passes in the midcourt and goal third. As Falcons closed the margin to 3-goals at the beginning of the final quarter, Saints played a strong fourth quarter to secure an 11-goal win in the end.
Casey Demons (57) def by North East Blaze (74)
Blaze showcased their top talents against Casey this week as they took out yet another ‘a-blazing’ win. Their 17-goal win makes it their 12th of the season and positions them in a great spot for the final 5 rounds.
Casey, sitting 10th on the ladder, played one of their best first quarters of the season to hold Blaze only 2-goals above them. A second quarter blowout for Blaze saw them shoot 23-goals with the assistance of their dynamic midcourt trio, Sam Coppinger, Taylor Bronwyn and Liv Ellis. Blaze’s transition of play and tight defence over the court forced plenty of turnovers and allowed them to get their hands on the ball.
Casey’s Peri Stewart in Goal-Shooter kept their team in with a fighting chance, shooting 48-goals of Casey’s final score at a goal accuracy of 91%. Her teams’ efforts though, could not match Blaze who finished with decisiveness. Abigail Gedge in Blaze’s goals shot a mammoth 53-goals from 56-attempts to finish with a goal accuracy of 95%.
Peninsula Waves v Melbourne University Lightning
Somerville Community and Recreation Centre, Sunday 23rd June at 5pm
19 & Under
Ariels (60) def Hawks Netball (44)
Ariels came back strong this week after a disappointing loss to Southern Saints in Round 12.
Ariels took an early 8-goal lead in the first quarter, a result of the precision shooting of Grace Kelly. Hawks swooped in the second quarter to tighten the score, only 1-goal separating the two teams. Hannah Keanne displayed her excellent goal abilities shooting 12-goals from 13-attempts. The defensive play between Olivia Spence and Gemma Thomas for Hawks proved successful in limiting the passes into Ariels goals in the second quarter.
A second half surge for Ariels gave them the drives and dodges needed in the midcourt to maneuver the ball down with speed. Work of the midcourters paid off with some sensational passed executed into the goals. Even Georgie Whittle in Goal-Defence wanted to get in on the action, delivering a powerful pass from the center third to the goal ring for Emily Andrew to receive and shoot.
Ariels finished with teamwork to see a 12-goal win to leave them sitting just outside the top 4 in 5th position.
Geelong Cougars (51) def Boroondara Express (41)
Looking to move from second on the ladder to first, Cougars played a fierce match against Boroondara to see a 10-goal win and make it one step closer to finals. Another close start of the night saw Boroondara snatch a 2-goal lead. Unfortunately for them, it would be the only time they were in front for the night.
Strong pressure down the midcourt and consistency to capitalise on turnovers, Cougars took control of the game in the second quarter to nearly double Boroondara’s second quarter scoring shots. Poppy Douglas and Ellen Doyle in Cougars goals, once again, starred on court with their dynamic movements to bounce off one another and secure the majority of Cougars goals.
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (43) def by City West Falcons (52)
Top spot holders, City West Falcons, took another victory this week to make it their 10th for the season. They remain in charge for finals. Saints kept Falcons in their sights most of the match only to let Falcons runaway with a win in the final half.
Saints ability in the midcourt to readjust and reoffer allowed them to capitalise on turnovers and not throw the ball away. Georgia Moody and Dominique Taylor paired well in their goal end but Tiarah Minns made sure they worked for goals. Falcons transitions down the midcourt were maneuvered well as they pounced and drove towards the ball with ferocity.
Casey Demons (52) def by North East Blaze (59)
Both teams had their share of the momentum throughout the match with rapid feeding between goalers down both ends of the court. While Casey made a number of changes to their combinations, Blaze kept one solid team on court to not have any modifications.
The talk between Blaze in the mid court and their steadiness to maintain control of the games pace allowed them to lead the entire match. The first quarter saw Goal-Keepers from both ends take lead forcing turnovers and leaping for rebounds. Jacqueline De Lazzari for Blaze caused 3 notable turnovers in the first quarter and showcased decisive drives against her opponent to take a stunning intercept.
Only 2-points in front at the end of the first quarter, Blaze amped up their game to increase their lead in the second and third quarter. Despite comeback efforts from Casey in the final quarter, Blaze finished with a 4-goal win.
The teamwork from Cassidy Iedema and Kaylah Loulanting was played a major influence in Blaze’s final result. Their constant movement gave their midcourt players options to feed in. Cassidy Iedema achieved an impressive goal accuracy of 96% to shoot 39-goals from 41-attempts.
Peninsula Waves v Melbourne University Lightning
Somerville Community and Recreation Centre, Sunday 23rd June at 5pm
Round 13 continues this Sunday, 23rd June, at Somerville Community and Recreation Centre as Waves and Lightning look to show who’s boss from 5pm onwards.
Written by Amellia Wood
