FIXTURE
Wednesday 21 May
- Bendigo Strikers vs Casey Demons
- City West Falcons vs Melbourne University Lightning
- Geelong Cougars vs Peninsula Waves
- Gippsland Stars vs Hawks Netball
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Western Warriors
- North East Blaze vs Boroondara Express
BROADCAST
Netball Victoria Facebook
Bendigo Strikers vs Casey Demons
7pm – 23&U
8.40pm – Championship
KommunityTV
Gippsland Stars vs Hawks Netball
7pm – Championship
8.40pm – 23&U
**Access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers.
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- Coming off their first win for the season, the Peninsula Waves are determined to replicate last week’s strategy, facing a strong Cougars outfit who are on the hunt for a win. The Cougars had a better outing last round as they kept the scoreline to just four. Ally O’Connor’s leadership in the Cougars midcourt has shone this season and will meet youngster Isabelle Rebecca who’s proven herself to disrupt play in crucial moments for the Waves.
- The Bendigo Strikers welcome key players back to their side and will look to bounce back from a tough loss last week. They’ll meet the Casey Demons who have slowly climbed up the ladder and sit in fifth. Trying to stop Emma Ryde seems like an impossible task, but the Strikers’ defensive end will give it their all to come out on top. At the other end of the court, Teal Hocking isn’t shy of putting up big numbers at the post for the Strikers and is complemented by a midcourt that finds her with ease.
- Boroondara Express is one of the most consistent teams in the competition with a lineup who’s played together for several seasons. They’ll continue working on combinations and rotations as they face North East Blaze who have struggled in the last couple of weeks. Blaze has had trouble closing out games and another win is needed to keep their season alive. Georgia Bowkett likes to build pressure in the defensive end for Blaze, and take advantage of any slip up. Express play a very clean and clinical game so Bowkett will need to work hard to win ball whenever the right opportunity arises.
23&Under
- It’s difficult to predict the outcome between Melbourne University Lightning and the City West Falcons. Even though Lightning sits second on the ladder, they’ve been challenged by some underdogs, while the Falcons have shaken some of the division’s top contenders. Once either team gains momentum, it’s difficult to shift so this will be a tight hit out. Montaya Sardi is an asset to the Lightning’s midcourt, able to flourish in attack and defence, and she’ll have a physical battle with Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale.
- This is the chance for Hawks Netball to solidify a spot in the top four as the Gippsland Stars continue to search for their first win. The Stars have shown promising signs after a dominant first half last week, while Hawks ended their hit out with a draw.
- Both the Western Warriors and Southern Saints had close encounters last round with the Warriors coming out on top and the Saints coming off second best. Despite being ninth and eleventh on the ladder respectively, both teams have put up a good challenge to some higher ranked teams. Ella Closter has found her form again and has made a major impact on the scoreboard shooting 30 goals or more in three of the Warriors’ last four games. She’ll have an exciting battle against Lenna Brunn who’s been one of the Saints most improved players this season.
ONE TO WATCH
Poppy Douglass is in her second year with the Western Warriors after crossing over from the Casey Demons. A championship winner with the Collingwood Magpies in the Australian National Championships, Douglass is proven to be a winner in clutch moments. The goal attack’s sweeps across the top of the circle and long shots continue to turn defenders’ heads. Her baseline drives create a lot of scoring opportunities for herself and respective shooters who all shoot with accuracy.
