With a top of the table clash and finals just around the corner, there’s an exciting line up of matches in the penultimate round of VNL 2023! Peninsula Waves will be hoping to put on a show at Somerville Recreation Centre when they take on Casey Demons at home.
FIXTURE
Wednesday 12 July
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs City West Falcons (Livestream – Netball Victoria Facebook Page)
- Geelong Cougars vs Hawks Netball
- Melbourne University Lightning vs Ariels (Livestream – KommunityTV)
- Boroondara Express vs North East Blaze
Sunday 16 July
- Peninsula Waves vs Casey Demons – Somerville Recreation Centre
BROADCAST GUIDE
Netball Victoria Facebook
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs City West Falcons
7pm – Championship | 8.20pm – Division 1 | 9.40pm – 19&U
KommunityTV
Melbourne University Lightning vs Ariels
7pm – 19&U | 8.20pm – Division 1 | 9.40pm – Championship
ONES TO WATCH
Championship
Round 17 will see a top four clash between Boroondara Express and North East Blaze. Express, who currently sit in third, come off a two-goal victory, while Blaze are hot on their heels in fourth and eying off a win following last week’s draw. Ty Coppinger, who’s been solid in defence all season, will need to continue that form when she comes up against sharpshooter Isabelle Hodgson in the circle. Geelong Cougars will also be hoping to go one better when they face Hawks Netball. The second-placed Cougars played out a Round 16 draw, while the Hawks are chasing three consecutive wins. It’ll be a battle of the shooters when Kaylia Stanton and Zanna Woods go head-to-head this week.
Division 1
Division 1 will be treated to a top of the table clash when Hawks Netball take on Geelong Cougars. The ladder leaders are in red-hot form and on a winning streak, while the second-placed Cougars will be hoping to bounce back from last week’s loss. Keep an eye out for Kaila Swindell and Kiahna Fallon who’ll be battling it out in the midcourt. City West Falcons will also be hoping to rejoin the winners list when they play Wilson Storage Southern Saints. The Falcons, who currently sit in fourth, come off a draw and narrow loss, while the Saints enjoyed a Round 16 win. Hayley Howard was unstoppable last week with 42 goals and will need to replicate that performance when she comes up against Charli Nicol.
19/Under
Melbourne University Lighting will be hoping to continue their winning run with a win against Ariels. The ladder leaders a game clear in the 19&U division and will be eager to stay at the top with another victory. Expect to see a battle through the midcourt between Montaya Sardi and Marley Haenga, who’ve both been instrumental for their sides in 2023. Fifth-placed Casey Demons are chasing three in a row when they take on Peninsula Waves this week. The Demons come off a seven-goal win, while the Waves enjoyed their fourth win of the season in Round 16. Demon Lupe Fonua has been unbelievable in defence but will have her hands full trying to stop an in-form Charlize Gabel Joseph.
