FIXTURE
Wednesday 7 August
State Netball Centre, Parkville
6.50pm – 23&U
Hawks Netball vs North East Blaze*
8.20pm – Championship
City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express**
BROADCAST
*23&U will be broadcast live on KommunityTV and Netball Victoria Facebook – Subscription required for KommunityTV (access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers).
**Championship will be broadcast live on Kayo Freebies and KommunityTV – Subscription required for KommunityTV (access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers).
WHAT TO EXPECT
Championship
- The match: The City West Falcons and Boroondara Express meet again in their second consecutive VNL Grand Final, after facing off in the major semi just two weeks ago. The Falcons reigned supreme in their last clash with a dominant 23-goal victory off the back of a perfect 65-goal outing at 100% accuracy from goaler Jane Cook. Her direct opponent Sarah Szczykulski must repeat last week’s dogged defensive performance to put Express in a strong position, while goalers Ruby Barkmeyer and Bella Hodgson will need to keep the Falcons’ heads turning out front. Look for Falcons defender Sophie Hanrahan to have a big say in this match – the regional star has cemented herself as a formidable defender in 2024, and paired with Melissa Oloamanu, is bound to make life hard for the Express goalers.
- The history: The City West Falcons are eying back-to-back-to-back premierships in a rematch of the 2023 Grand Final against Boroondara Express, where they prevailed by six goals in a tightly contested match. The Falcons have the chance to cement themselves as VNL heavyweights in their fourth grand final appearance in five seasons. While for Express, they’re looking for their first Championship premiership since 2015.
23&Under
- The match: Hawks Netball and North East Blaze meet in the inaugural 23&Under VNL Grand Final in a tantalising match up. The Hawks have been a force to be reckoned with in 2024 after going undefeated in their first 17 matches, until Blaze shattered their winning run in Round 18. The gutsy side remain the only team to have defeated the Hawks and are riding a wave of momentum after overcoming MU Lightning in extra time last week. Look to keeper Eliza Molino to once again haul her side out of tricky situations as she takes on Hawks shooter Dominique Taylor, while Kaila Swindell and Georgie O’Brien (Hawks) round out a stacked midcourt battle against Taiysha Wallis and Ally Langdon (Blaze). Of all the grand finalists this year, Blaze are the only team to feature from outside the top two, so expect them to rally as underdogs off the back of goaler Olivia Cawthray, who shot 59 goals at 88% last week.
- The history: Both clubs have a strong history of success with the Hawks winning their most recent Division 1 premiership in 2022, and Blaze clinching the same title in 2019. While just a few players will have taken part in those achievements, their passionate supporters on the sidelines will know the feeling of cheering their teams home.
ONE TO WATCH
Uneeq Palavi – City West Falcons
After signing as a replacement player for the NSW Swifts towards the end of the Suncorp Super Netball season, goaler Uneeq Palavi returns to the City West Falcons primed to deliver in the 2024 VNL Grand Final. The strong and mobile goaler can play across both positions, but will be the supporting act to prolific shooter Jane Cook. The Falcons target made headlines when she slotted a perfect 86 goals at 100% accuracy earlier in the season, and paired with Palavi, is a coach’s dream as much as a defender’s nightmare. Expect Palavi to keep the defenders’ heads spinning as she combines with the ruthless Falcons attack.
TICKETS
VNL grand final tickets can be purchased upon arrival at the State Netball Centre, with adult tickets $8 and $4 for concession and children (16 & under).
