Round 5 of the Victorian Netball League certainly didn’t disappoint, with high intensity matches across the three divisions as well as a few upsets across the night.
Championship
Peninsula Waves (49) defeated by City West Falcons (58)
Casey Demons (62) defeated North East Blaze (41)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (50) defeated Hawks Netball (44)
Ariels (44) defeated by Boroondara Express (70)
Melbourne University (47) defeated Geelong Cougars (40)
Melbourne University Lightning ended Geelong Cougars winning streak, recording a stunning seven goal win over the Cougars.
Lightning defender Gabby Coffey played a key role in getting her side over the line, working well with fellow defender Ramayer Gourley to win plenty of ball back and not allow the Geelong shooters to build momentum.
Gourley was excited and pleased with her side's performance after the match.
“It feels pretty amazing. The girls did a really great job at playing our game and focusing on us throughout all the four quarters. Although they really gave it to us we just kept our head and it showed.”
It was a tough match with the Cougars making a comeback going into three quarter time with the margin sitting at four goals, but the Lightning were able to really pull away in the final term thanks to a lift in intensity according to Gourley.
“I think it had a lot to do with us maintaining that intensity from the first and lifting that just a little bit extra.
“I think we started getting those defensive turnovers that we’d been working on throughout the game and it just started working for us that little bit more, we also learnt a bit more about their game we were able to change up our style and implement that as well, so that also helped us.
The Lightning welcomed back Maggie Caris this week, after she spent the past few months playing with the Melbourne Demons in the AFLW, with Gourley saying that she’s excited to have the full Lightning side back out on court.
“It was very exciting that we got Maggie Caris back, she did great. Considering she’s been playing footy non stop, she came back into the team pretty seamlessly, so that was pretty exciting and just having our full side with us was pretty fun.”
The Lightning will face the Ariels in Round 6 after the National Championships, with Gourley looking to bring that same intensity that they did against the Cougars.
“I think again, focus on that same intensity and maintaining that throughout all the four quarters and really not having any lapses and if we do, recognising them, picking up on it and changing our game as quick as we can, staying adaptable, adapting to the other team's style.
Divison 1
Melbourne University Lightning (44) defeated by Geelong Cougars (47)
Ariels (51) defeated by Boroondara Express (59)
Wilson Storage Southern States (39) defeated by Hawks Netball (55)
Casey Demons (28) defeated by North East Blaze (47)
Peninsula Waves (45) defeated by City West Falcons (55)
The City West Falcons were able to get back on the winners list this week defeating the Peninsula Waves by 11 goals. It was a high pressure match and while the Waves were down, they still brought plenty of heat until the final whistle.
After a few tiny errors looked to spoil the Falcons game early, they were able to come home with a strong win. Nyibol Akec worked tirelessly in attack, playing across centre and wing defence and really gave the Falcons the run through the midcourt that they needed.
The Falcons defensive line up was strong, applying plenty of pressure on the Waves attack end which won the Falcons plenty of ball back and shutting down the Waves attackers who were able to dominate early. Tharjini Sivalingam provided a tall target underneath the post for the Falcons with the Waves defenders finding it difficult to nullify her impact.
19/Under
Casey Demons (39) defeated by North East Blaze (51)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (63) defeated Hawks Netball (46)
Peninsula Waves (47) defeated by City West Falcons (57)
Ariels (49) defeated Boroondara Express (25)
Melbourne University Lightning (65) defeated Geelong Cougars (48)
Melbourne University Lightning collected a strong win over the Geelong Cougars last night walking away with a 17 goal win. It was a hotly contested opening half, while Melbourne University seemed to have the momentum they weren’t able to put it on the scoreboard, tied at 30 apiece at half time. Although during the second half, the Lightning really capitalised on turnovers, extending their lead to get their fourth win of the season.
Goal attack Livinia Fox was strong and injected that speed into Lightning’s attack end. She was able to open up the goal circle quite nicely with drives along the baseline allowing for that easy feed into the goal circle. Fox was able to create a strong partnership with goal shooter Mia McCrann-Peters with both of them proving quite dangerous in that goal circle. Montaya Sardi was strong out in wing defence, winning plenty of ball back for her side as well as her pressure on the pass was a highlight.
