FIXTURE
Sunday 23 June
Bendigo Stadium
Bendigo Strikers vs Western Warriors
Monday 24 June
Olive Road Sports Complex, Casey
Casey Demons vs Gippsland Stars (23&U only – Championship BYE)
Wednesday 26 June
State Netball Centre, Parkville
City West Falcons vs Peninsula Waves
Geelong Cougars vs Boroondara Express
WS Southern Saints vs MU Lightning
Hawks Netball vs North East Blaze
BROADCAST
Monday, 24 June
Netball Victoria Facebook
Casey Demons vs Gippsland Stars
7.30pm - 23&U
Wednesday, 19 June
Netball Victoria Facebook
Geelong Cougars vs Boroondara Express
7.00pm - Championship
8.30pm - 23&U
KommunityTV
City West Falcons vs Peninsula Waves
7.00pm - 23&U
8.30pm - Championship
Subscription required (access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers).
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- VNL hits the road when the Bendigo Strikers host the Western Warriors at a packed-out Red Energy Arena on Sunday. The Strikers jumped into eighth after their confidence-building win over Casey Demons, while the Warriors are sitting just off the bottom of the ladder. Goal shooter Milly Brock posted an incredible 52 goals (84%) in Round 17, so expect her to put on another show in front of her home crowd.
- North East Blaze takes on Hawks Netball in what could be a finals preview between third and fourth. Despite losing their Round 7 match-up by two goals, the Hawks can take confidence that Blaze’s recent run of wins has been against the bottom three teams, while they’ve also struggled against the stronger sides. With Hot Shot leaderboard regular Kaylia Stanton (634 goals) on their roster, the Hawks could time their run to finals perfectly.
- It will be another top of the table clash when Boroondara Express (second) take on the Geelong Cougars (fifth). Express are back on the winners list after suffering a three-game losing streak, while the Cougars are desperate to knock the Hawks off their perch and slide into finals.
23&Under
- In one of the most highly anticipated matches of the year, the undefeated Hawks take on third-placed North East Blaze, who haven’t lost since Round 9. The well-balanced Hawks tend to share the shooting load, however Blaze has the privilege of looking to prolific goal shooter Olivia Cawthray, who posted individual scores of 48 and 54 at 87% in her last two games. It’s a huge task for defenders Eloise Argoon, Emma Storey and Olivia Barnett, but the trio are no strangers to shutting out their opposition.
- Fifth-placed Geelong Cougars are under pressure to address their form slump when they face Boroondara Express. The Cougars have lost their last three matches and must win this week to remain in contention for the finals.
ONE TO WATCH
Charlotte Sexton – Bendigo Strikers
Bendigo’s Charlotte Sexton will relish the opportunity to step out in front of her home crowd as a key member of the Strikers’ inaugural Championship division team. The consistent defender is a fierce competitor and her height makes her an imposing figure in the circle. Sexton has progressed through the pathway from Sandhurst (in the Bendigo Football Netball League) all the way to earning selection for Victorian Fury, competing in this year’s pilot Super Netball Reserves competition. She also represented the Fury at the Australian Netball Championships in 2023 and is in the 19&U national pathway squad for 2023-24.
