After two disrupted seasons, the VNL Grand Finals are almost here with three exciting matches ahead as six teams look to claim the ultimate prize on Wednesday night. With the first two weeks of finals featuring cracking games, the final week of the VNL will be one to watch.
Championship
City West Falcons v Geelong Cougars
Division 1
Hawks Netball v Geelong Cougars
19/Under
City West Falcons v Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Championship- Maggie Lind
Maggie Lind has been a key player in the City West Falcons side, especially when the two teams met last in the semi final in the thrilling overtime match, where she helped her side go straight through to the Grand Final. Lind is strong in the second phase and can use her speed and strength to get onto the circle edge and feed it into the goalers. Lind is a workhorse in attack to help bring the ball down to the circle edge and complements the play of fellow midcourter, Montana Holmes especially on defensive transition. The potential matchup of Lind up against Geelong's Ally O’Connor could be the key to the game and one to watch.
Division 1- Chloe Duke
Chloe Duke has been a key member in the Hawks defensive end this season and was extremely strong in the semi final against the then undefeated North East Blaze. Duke has a great read on the ball and is able to regain possession for her team. Duke has also created a strong combination with fellow defender Sally Deller with the pair shutting down some of the best shooting combinations, like in the semi final against the Blaze the pair were able to keep the Blaze goal circle to just 10 goals in the second quarter. The potential matchup of Duke up against Emma Buwalda will be one to look out for with both of them key players in their respective sides.
19/Under- Malia Seumanutafa
Malia Semumanutafa proved to be instrumental in the sides win in the preliminary final last week and she’ll be looking to replicate that form once again when the Saints come up against the City West Falcons in the 19/Under Grand Final. Seumanutafa plays the role of a holding shooter extremely well, making it hard for defenders to get around her and providing plenty of headaches to the opposition. She’s incredibly strong in the air, able to pull the ball in and is extremely accurate to post with her rebounding ability equally as impressive. The battle between Seumanutafa and Achel Yout could be a gamechanger with both players known as barometers for their side.
