With a flurry of top four clashes and several sides chasing wins, it’s set to be a gripping round of VNL! The competition remains on the road, with four home games spread across the week.
FIXTURE
Wednesday 5 July
- City West Falcons vs Melbourne University Lightning
- Ariels vs Hawks Netball – Maroondah Nets
- Casey Demons vs Boroondara Express – Casey Stadium (Livestream – Netball Victoria Facebook Page)
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Peninsula Waves – Oakleigh Recreation Centre
Sunday 9 July
- North East Blaze vs Geelong Cougars – La Trobe Sports Stadium (Livestream – KommunityTV)
BROADCAST GUIDE
Netball Victoria Facebook
Casey Demons vs Boroondara Express
7pm – 19&U | 8.20pm – Championship | 9.40pm – Division 1
KommunityTV
North East Blaze vs Geelong Cougars
2pm – 19&U | 3.40pm – Championship | 5.10pm – Division 1
ONES TO WATCH
Championship
Round 16 will see a top four clash between North East Blaze and Geelong Cougars. The fourth-placed Blaze will be hungry for a win after consecutive losses, while the Cougars, who sit in second, are chasing four wins in a row. Cougars’ defender Brooke Allen will need to be at her best when she takes on Nyah Allen in the circle. Boroondara Express will be hoping to bounce back from last week’s loss when they take on Casey Demons. It’ll be a battle of the shooters when Isabelle Hodgson and Emma Ryde go head-to-head this week. In other matchups, the Saints and Waves will both be looking to rejoin the winners list, while the Hawks and Falcons are chasing wins against Ariels and Lightning respectively.
Division 1
Wilson Storage Southern Saints will be looking to rejoin the winners list when they face Peninsula Waves. The Saints fell agonisingly short last week with a one-goal loss, while the Waves fought hard against Lightning. Expect to see a battle through the midcourt between Holly Garac and Isabelle Rebecca, who’ve both been crucial for their sides this season. This division will also enjoy a top four clash when North East Blaze play Geelong Cougars at La Trobe Sports Stadium. Currently sitting in fourth, the Blaze will be looking to back up their hard-fought win, while the Cougars continued their dominance with another strong performance last week. Blaze’s Abby Gedge has been strong under the post and will need to continue that form when she comes up against Ashlee Smith.
19/Under
The 19&U division will be treated to a top of the table clash when City West Falcons face Melbourne University Lightning at the State Netball Centre. With both teams on winning runs and only percentage separating the two sides, it’s a matchup that can’t be missed! Falcons’ Charlotte Sexton has been outstanding in defence but will have her hands full trying to stop sharpshooter Kate O’Dwyer. Fourth-placed Hawks Netball will be hoping to solidify their position with a win against Ariels. The Hawks are chasing three in a row, while Ariels come off two strong weeks. Keep an eye out for Sienna Green and Marley Haenga who’ll be battling it out in the midcourt.
