FIXTURE
Wednesday 17 April
State Netball Centre, Parkville
- Boroondara Express VS Geelong Cougars
- Peninsula Waves VS City West Falcons
- Melbourne University Lightning VS WS Southern Saints
- North East Blaze VS Hawks Netball
- Western Warriors VS Bendigo Strikers
- Gippsland Stars VS Casey Demons (23&U only; Demons Championship BYE)
BROADCAST
Netball Victoria Facebook
Western Warriors vs Bendigo Strikers
7pm – 23&Under
8.30pm – Championship
KommunityTV
Peninsula Waves vs City West Falcons
7pm – Championship
8.30pm – 23&Under
Subscription required (access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers).
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
Coming off the bye, a well-rested Melbourne University Lightning side will face the Wilson Storage Southern Saints who had a narrow loss against the Hawks last week. Both teams are fighting to stay in touch with the top four. Lightning defender Gabby Coffey, who joined the Melbourne Vixens’ game day team on Sunday, will face off against the Vixens’ eleventh player Emily Andrew who was outstanding last week against Hawks, with 42 goals at 89% accuracy.
Peninsula Waves are still searching for their first win for the year, and will have their work cut out for them against reigning premiers City West Falcons. The Falcons’ versatile defender Sophie Hanrahan has been logging consistent minutes all season; the Albury product has been causing headaches for opposition attack lines across all three defensive positions.
23&Under
A top of the table clash between North East Blaze and Hawks Netball is tipped to be the match of the round. With Blaze coming off their first loss of the season, and Hawks still undefeated after a convincing win over finals contenders, the WS Southern Saints last week, both sides will be giving it their all to remain a team to beat in 2024. Blaze will welcome the return of Mia Lavis and Eliza Molino, while Allie Davidson and Georgie O’Brien come back in for the Hawks after last week’s National Netball Championships.
ONE TO WATCH
North East Blaze’s stalwart defender Ty Coppinger has been a consistent performer so far, and will face a firing Hawks’ attacking combination of Kaylia Stanton (who nudged her way onto the Hot Shot leaderboard last week) and Annabelle Gorman. Coppinger has played a major role in her side’s impressive start to the season, menacing across the defensive transverse line and providing vital composure and leadership in a couple of tight contests.
