FIXTURE
Wednesday, 12 June
State Netball Centre, Parkville
Gippsland Stars vs Hawks Netball (23&U only – Championship BYE)
Casey Demons vs Boroondara Express
MU Lightning vs Geelong Cougars
City West Falcons vs Bendigo Strikers
Western Warriors vs North East Blaze
WS Southern Saints vs Peninsula Waves
BROADCAST
Wednesday, 12 June
Netball Victoria Facebook
Casey Demons vs Boroondara Express
7.00pm - 23&U
8.30pm - Championship
KommunityTV
Western Warriors vs North East Blaze
7.00pm – Championship
8.30pm – 23&U
Subscription required (access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers).
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- City West Falcons are sitting pretty two games clear at the top of the table as they come up against eighth placed Bendigo Strikers. The challenge the Falcons face this week is a depleted side due to some of their key players - Lucia Fauonuku, Melissa Oloamau and Uneeq Palavi - in Brisbane for the Pacific Netball Series. It’s a challenge the Falcons can use to their advantage, with the opportunity to rotate players leading into finals.
- Melbourne University Lightning and Geelong Cougars sit just outside the top four, so will be playing for more than just a win. Lightning is ahead in points and breathing down the neck of Hawks Netball, who are ahead on percentage. The Hawks face a bye, so Lightning will be aiming to beat the Cougars and by a huge margin, to then knock Hawks off their perch.
23&Under
- Casey Demons and Boroondara Express both have the chance to break a form slump and recover their seasons. Neither side has snatched more than a win in their last five outings, and despite no chance at finals, a victory could help build momentum into their next season.
- City West Falcons are sitting just inside the top four, and will be looking to cement their position against tenth placed Bendigo Strikers. The Falcons will be without one of their goalers in Beyonce Palavi, who will be representing Tonga at the Pacific Netball Series in Brisbane, but that shouldn’t shake their confidence in a game they should win on paper.
ONE TO WATCH
Ruby Shannon – Western Warriors
This explosive midcourter had a breakout season in 2023 being named in the VNL 19&U Team of the Year and selected for both the Victorian Fury and in the 19&U State team.
In a huge off-season coup, Shannon moved to new VNL side, Western Warriors from North East Blaze and has continued to impress on court. Shannon’s great game sense and incredible work rate should see her go far in the pathway.
