FIXTURE
Wednesday 23 April
- Hawks Netball vs Geelong Cougars
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Bendigo Strikers
- Gippsland Stars vs Western Warriors
- City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express
- North East Blaze vs Melbourne University Lightning
Sunday 27 April
- Peninsula Waves vs Casey Demons (Frankston)
BROADCAST
Netball Victoria Facebook
City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express
7pm – Championship
8.30pm – 23&U
KommunityTV
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Bendigo Strikers
7pm – 23&U
8.30pm – Championship
**Access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers.
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- The grand final re-match again between the City West Falcons and Boroondara Express will be a game to watch, with match ups all through the court. Current joint Championship MVP Sophie Hanrahan will have her hands full with Isabelle Hodgson having another cracking season under the post as Boroondara’s main scorer.
- The Western Warriors are coming off their first win of the season and the Gippsland Stars are riding on a high. Ramayer Gourley will have her work cut out for her against Kim Borger and Rebecca Hicks who have been weapons in goals for the Warriors.
- Both the Southern Saints and Bendigo Strikers have proven themselves against some of the best, losing games by just one goal to teams in the top three. Sharni Norder has been a major difference in the Saints’ defence end since her return to netball, while Zoe Davies continues her dominant fashion for the Strikers.
23&Under
- Hawks Netball and Geelong Cougars are both in fine form with this matchup proving to be integral for both teams’ seasons. Dakota Blade’s presence in the shooting circle for the Hawks is difficult to miss, with Blade able to shoot from distance with accuracy. Geelong’s defensive powerhouses in Charli Hoey and Mia Aitken return from state commitments and will want to get back into gear in a Cougars dress to shut Blade down.
- A top of the table clash between North East Blaze and Melbourne University Lightning will leave one team remaining undefeated. Blaze’s Olivia Cawthray and Lightning’s Kate O’Dwyer both sit in the top three of the Hot Shot leaderboard so both will remain important targets under the post. Taiysha Wallis and Millie Hogg will have an entertaining battle in the midcourt with a shoot out at each end of the court.
- Peninsula Waves will host Casey Demons in Frankston in what will be a close encounter. Taylah Werner’s connection with Charlize Gabel Joseph is the Waves’ success point as Warner’s netball smarts keep her side composed and clinical. Holly Stephens’ work rate in the Demons shooting circle and ability to go to post will give the Demons enough confidence to get over the line.
ONE TO WATCH
Piuti Laban has been a standout for Casey Demons this season after earning her first fulltime Championship contract. Laban returns to the Demons after winning a silver medal at the National Netball Championships over the past week with the 19/U Victorian state team. She’s a key cog in the Demons’ attack end playing mostly goal attack but can also swing into wing attack with ease to provide accuracy with a steady head.
