Round 8 of the VNL was headlined by some close shaves and a couple of blowouts. Geelong further cemented themselves on top of the ladder in the Championship division with their seventh win of the season, while North East Blaze continued their undefeated streak in Division 1.
Championship
Boroondara Express (58) defeated Peninsula Waves (45)
North East Blaze (69) defeated Melbourne University Lightning (50)
City West Falcons (81) defeated Ariels (39)
Geelong Cougars (52) defeated Wilson Storage Southern Saints (46)
Hawks Netball (64) defeated Casey Demons (46)
Geelong Cougars collected a hard-fought win in Round 8 against Wilson Storage Southern Saints (52-46). The intensity was up from the opening quarter with the Saints holding a slender two-goal lead at quarter time, before the Cougars upped the ante in the second term to steal back the lead. The Saints looked to have all the answers in the third but some final quarter magic from the Cougars sealed the deal.
Brooke Allan was instrumental in goal keeper, combatting Melbourne Vixens squad member Emily Andrew. Tegan Stephenson and Ash Barnett had the tough task up against Bridgette Furphy and Zanna Woods, the Geelong shooters renowned for their constant movement and ball placement. Mel Bragg was strong through the midcourt for the victors while Vanessa Augustini found circle edge with ease.
Division 1
Boroondara Express (40) defeated by Peninsula Waves (46)
North East Blaze (64) defeated Melbourne University Lightning (44)
City West Falcons (58) defeated Ariels (39)
Geelong Cougars (53) defeated by Wilson Storage Southern Saints (58)
Hawks Netball (47) defeated Casey Demons (26)
It keeps getting better for North East Blaze, collecting their eighth straight win for the season. A clinical performance saw them down Melbourne University by 20 goals. Blaze burst out of the blocks in the first quarter piling on 20 goals to just five to dictate the terms of the game. They steadily built on that margin throughout the game, cruising to a solid win.
The combination of Kaylah Loulanting and Sarah Hogan was formidable in attack while the midcourt work of captain Sam Coppinger and Kali Dolphin was unstoppable. Wing defence Olivia Ellis was in fine form limiting the movement of Lightning opposition, Shannon Blackman and Meg Matthews.
19/Under
Boroondara Express (39) defeated by Peninsula Waves (48)
North East Blaze (59) defeated Melbourne University Lightning (40)
City West Falcons (68) defeated Ariels (40)
Geelong Cougars (35) defeated by Wilson Storage Southern Saints (54)
Hawks Netball (61) defeated Casey Demons (43)
It was a topsy turvy battle between Boroondara Express and Peninsula Waves with the lead changing hands multiple times. Establishing a handy lead at quarter time, Boroondara looked to have all the momentum and rhythm in attack. But the tables began to turn as the Waves built into the match and fought back in the second with a blistering 18 goals to five. That was the telling sign as Boroondara struggled to get back into the contest.
Defensive duo Talia Anderson and Jade Hall were strong down back for the Waves, halting the movement of Narena Baker and Teah Wilson inside the circle as the game went on. Ella Robertson was a force to be reckoned with for Peninsula partnering well with Jessica Tetley.
