VNL hits the road in Round 15, with four home games spread across the week. The round will see a flurry of top four clashes as the race for finals continues!
FIXTURE
Wednesday 28 June
- City West Falcons vs North East Blaze – Altona Sports Centre
- Casey Demons vs Ariels – Casey Stadium (Livestream – KommunityTV)
- Melbourne University Lightning vs Peninsula Waves
Saturday 1 July
- Hawks Netball vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints – Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Sunday 2 July
- Geelong Cougars vs Boroondara Express – Wurdi Baierr Stadium (Livestream – Netball Victoria Facebook Page)
BROADCAST GUIDE
Netball Victoria Facebook
Geelong Cougars vs Boroondara Express
12pm – 19&U | 1:30pm – Championship | 3pm – Division 1
KommunityTV
Casey Demons vs Ariels
7pm – Division 1 | 8.20pm – Championship | 9.40pm – 19&U
ONES TO WATCH
Championship
Round 15 will see a top four clash between City West Falcons and North East Blaze. Ladder leaders City West are coming off a strong win, while the fourth-placed Blaze will be hoping to bounce back from last week’s narrow loss. Ty Coppinger, who’s been unbelievable in Blaze’s defence, will need to continue that form against shooting sensation Jane Cook. This division will be treated to another top four matchup when Geelong Cougars take on Boroondara Express. The Cougars currently sit in third and are chasing three consecutive wins, while the second-placed Express will be hoping to go back-to-back following their Round 14 win. Expect to see a fierce battle between Casey Adamson and Zara Walters, who’ve both stood out in the midcourt throughout the season.
Division 1
Casey Demons will be chasing their second win of 2023 when they take on Ariels at Casey Stadium. Ariels will go in as favourites to claim the four points, but a hungry Demons outfit in front of a home crowd may prove to be a challenge. It’ll be a battle of the goalers as sharpshooters Emmalia Blake and Myah Healey go head-to-head. This division will also enjoy a top four clash when City West Falcons play North East Blaze at Altona Sports Centre. The third-placed Falcons will be hoping to record consecutive wins following their Round 13 draw, while Blaze are hot on their heels in fourth, and with a winning streak of their own to defend. Falcons’ defender Charli Nicol will have her hands full trying to stop Abigail Gedge in the circle. In other match ups, Geelong Cougars and Hawks Netball will be eying off wins against Express and the Saints respectively, while Melbourne University Lightning will be hoping to bounce back when they take on the Waves.
19/Under
Ladder leaders Melbourne University Lightning will be hoping to continue their hot form with a win against Peninsula Waves. Keep an eye out for a scintillating matchup between Montaya Sardi and Olivia Jones, who’ve both been on fire in the midcourt. Hawks Netball and Wilson Storage Southern Saints will be chasing back-to-back victories when they face each other this week. Sitting in fourth and fifth on the 19&U ladder, both sides enjoyed wins in Round 14 and are evenly poised to claim another this week. Hawks’ Amy Scott has been strong under the post and will need to be on her game when she comes up against Saachi Donald. This division will also see a top four clash when City West Falcons take on North East Blaze. City West Falcons will be hoping to continue their winning run, while Blaze will be keen to rejoin the winners list after last week’s loss. With only percentage separating the two sides, it promises to be a thrilling 60 minutes!
