FIXTURE
Wednesday 18 June
- Geelong Cougars vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints
- North East Blaze vs Gippsland Stars
- Melbourne University Lightning vs City West Falcons
- Western Warriors vs Casey Demons
- Peninsula Waves vs Bendigo Strikers
- Hawks Netball vs Boroondara Express
BROADCAST
Netball Victoria Facebook
Western Warriors vs Casey Demons
7pm – Championship
Peninsula Waves vs Bendigo Strikers
8.40pm – 23&U
KommunityTV
Geelong Cougars vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints
7pm – 23&U
8.40pm – Championship
**Access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers.
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- The Geelong Cougars enter their clash with the Southern Saints holding bragging rights from a dominant 14-goal win earlier this season. With both teams sitting eighth and ninth on the ladder, this rematch promises a spirited contest between two sides eager to prove their progress. The Saints have shown steady improvement throughout the season, making this a much tougher test for the Cougars second time around. All eyes will be on the key match-up between Cougars defender Indya Forde and Saints playmaker Rahni Samason. Forde’s aerial dominance and closing speed have made her a defensive standout, while Samason’s creativity and ability to work off the speed of the ball could prove crucial.
- It’s the rematch both North East Blaze and the Gippsland Stars have had circled on the calendar. Their Round 1 clash ended in a 43-all draw sealed by a goal after the siren, marking the Stars’ historic first premiership points in the Championship division. Since then, Blaze have rediscovered their form, pushing top-four contenders and showing signs of a late-season surge. Meanwhile, the Stars continue to build their combinations and gain consistency across the court. Shannon Blackman was a standout in their last meeting, controlling the tempo with composure and impacting at both ends — feeding cleanly into the circle while shutting down space in defence. She’ll go head to head with Maddi Wallmeyer, whose explosive speed consistently sees her in prime feeding position.
- Premiership contenders Hawks Netball and Boroondara Express are set for a blockbuster clash as both sides continue their push toward finals. With expectations high that these two will meet again in finals, this match shapes as a crucial preview. Express hold the edge with a win already over the Hawks this season, but this is a golden opportunity for the Hawks to square the ledger. It’ll be a hard-fought contest with the battle in the midcourt between Express’ Casey Adamson and Hawks’ Keighley Starrett one to watch. Adamson brings big-game experience and composure under pressure, while Starrett will be looking to anchor the Hawks with a cool, steady presence.
23&Under
- City West Falcons are one of only two sides to have defeated Melbourne University Lightning this season. While the Lightning sit securely in second, the Falcons are building momentum in sixth, having won four of their last five. For the Lightning, the shooting combination of Kate O’Dwyer and Akira McCormack will be central to their success. O’Dwyer is a dominant presence at the post, while McCormack’s precise feeds keep the attack ticking. In the Falcons’ midcourt, Amelia Holland’s ability to find space and receive consistently in attack makes her a key link in feeding the circle and keeping scoreboard pressure on.
- The Western Warriors will face the Casey Demons in what will be another close encounter. After being down in the first half, the Warriors came back after the main break to win by two goals in Round 9. It was a high scoring game with Demons’ Holly Stephens and Warriors’ Ella Closter both shooting 30 goals or more. Stephens will once again team up with Grace Ioelu, who’s finding strong form in the circle and growing in confidence. In the midcourt, expect Sadie Cheeseman to play a pivotal role for the Warriors — her ball-winning ability and relentless pressure could be the difference in a tightly contested battle.
- Just one goal separated the Peninsula Waves and Bendigo Strikers in their last meet up, with the Strikers taking the win after leading for most of the game. The Waves will be fighting to keep their finals hopes alive, while the Strikers, sitting comfortably in third, aim to cement their spot in the top four. A key match-up to watch will be Strikers defender Abby Larkin up against Waves playmaker Taylah Werner. Werner’s hustle, court smarts and dominance on the baseline makes her a critical piece in carving up the Strikers defence.
ONE TO WATCH
Kiahna Fallon has rapidly progressed through the VNL pathway from debuting in 19&Under in 2021 to solidifying a Championship contract in 2024. Fallon’s addition to the Geelong Cougars midcourt was recognised straight away with her work rate and hunger for the ball praised by coach Gerard Murphy. The defensive midcourter was a part of the 19/U Victorian state team that won a silver medal at the National Netball Championships in 2022. The following year she found premiership success in Division One and was named the Cougars joint MVP for the season. Primarily a wing defence, Fallon can cover centre and with her closing speed and read of the play a standout of her game.
