FIXTURE
Wednesday, 22 May
State Netball Centre, Parkville
- Boroondara Express vs Peninsula Waves
- Hawks Netball vs City West Falcons
- North East Blaze vs WS Southern Saints
- Gippsland Stars vs Bendigo Strikers (23&U only; Strikers Championship BYE)
- MU Lightning vs Casey Demons
Friday, 24 May
Cobblebank Indoor Stadium, Melton
- Western Warriors vs Geelong Cougars
BROADCAST
Wednesday, 22 May
Netball Victoria Facebook
MU Lightning vs Casey Demons
7.00pm - Championship
8.30pm - 23&U
KommunityTV
North East Blaze vs WS Southern Saints
7.00pm - 23&U
8.30pm - Championship
Subscription required (access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers).
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- It’s crunch time in the VNL as we tick over halfway through the season, particularly for Melbourne University Lightning and Casey Demons who will be looking to consolidate their credentials as finals contenders. The two sides are sitting within reach of the top four with similar percentage. Demons' Sharni Lambden will need to combat the dynamic movement of Lightning’s Claudia Mawson to keep a tight contest. Caitlin Hill has been strong for Lightning, registering 40+ goals in a couple of games this season.
- Friday night will see a battle of the west when the Western Warriors host Geelong Cougars at Melton’s Cobblebank Stadium. The Cougars are fighting for finals contention, with the Hawks breathing down their neck. Daisy O’Kane has been impressive in goals for the Cougars in recent weeks and will be a target for the visiting side.
23&Under
- The experts are calling the Hawks vs City West Falcons game the match of the round. The Hawks have dominated all season and the Falcons have put up a fight each week. Hawks’ defender Emma Storey has been consistent and reliable throughout the season. She’ll need to be well-supported will full-court defensive efforts out the front to shut down Falcons' Holly Adams-Alcock and Amalani Fauonuku.
- As we head into the backend of the season, North East Blaze and Wilson Storage Southern Saints will be fighting for a spot in the top four. Blaze will be challenged by the Saints side featuring Hayley Howard and Annecy Lyon in goals, but they’ll back in Eliza Molino to shut down their access to post. Caitlin Cooke has been consistent in defence and will face the attacking firepower of Dee Dee Lambert.
ONE TO WATCH
Wilson Storage Southern Saints defender, Mia van Wyk is a Victorian pathway young gun. Playing across all three defensive positions (but predominantly in WD/GD) her athleticism and versatility make her a threat to opposing attackers. Van Wyk represented Victoria in the 19/U National Netball Championships and has been selected in the Vixens’ Super Netball Reserves team.
