The VNL will turn rainbow in a show of support of the LGBTQ+ community for the league’s annual Pride Round.
Each year, Netball Victoria and the VNL holds a league-wide round to show the organisation and sport’s commitment to creating welcoming environments for everyone.
Over three days this week, VNL teams will don RACV pride bibs and socks as the state’s best netballers use their platform to unite and support.
RACV will have an affirmation wall for attendees at the State Netball Centre to share their messages of pride in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Alongside the physical affirmation wall, the netball community is welcome to share messages on the digital platform HERE
FIXTURE
Wednesday 14 May
Boroondara Express vs Gippsland Stars
Casey Demons vs Western Warriors
Peninsula Waves vs Melbourne University Lightning
Geelong Cougars vs North East Blaze
Friday 16 May
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs City West Falcons (Sandringham)
Sunday 18 May
Bendigo Strikers vs Hawks Netball (Bendigo)
BROADCAST
Netball Victoria Facebook
Casey Demons vs Western Warriors
7pm – 23&U
8.30pm – Championship
KommunityTV
Geelong Cougars vs North East Blaze
7pm – Championship
8.30pm – 23&U
**Access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers.
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- Hawks Netball and the Bendigo Strikers sit neck-and-neck on the ladder in third and fourth, as both clubs have standout seasons. This is a guaranteed finals preview with the margin expected to be no more than five goals in the match of the round. Teal Hocking is starting to take more of a load in Bendigo’s shooting circle, while Jess Tetley continues to split the circle and create open space for the Hawks in attack.
- A difficult loss for North East Blaze last week will only motivate them more to knock over the Geelong Cougars. It’s been an up-down-season for both teams, as the Cougars look to return to the winners list, while Blaze will want to produce a consist four quarter performance. Geelong’s Kiahna Fallon will work on Maddi Wallmeyer, preventing her from getting on circle edge and into Blaze’s shooting circle where they score with accuracy.
- Peninsula Waves narrowly missed out on their first win of the season last week, but they'll head into their clash with Melbourne University Lightning full of confidence. A same ‘goals scored’ between the Lightning and the Waves illustrates how close these teams are, and it’ll be their defensive ends that’ll name either side victors. Caitlin Cooke for the Waves and Charlee Kemp for the Lightning have been standout goal keepers as they take a step into the Championship division. Both players have great elevation while using their tight defence to get gains and disrupt play.
23&Under
- It’s a game that both the Casey Demons and Western Warriors need to win to get their seasons back on track. Both have been unable to find their footing so far this season and the team to settle and find consistency first will secure the win. Ella Closter has upped her shooting volume and has been lethal for the Warriors. She’ll have an exciting battle with Casey’s Gemma Meadley who can win ball in moments of need.
- The Southern Saints and the City West Falcons are coming off notable losses and will want to get back into form. Both teams are looking for redemption and are prepared to give it their all into every contest. Rachael Walker will have the task of disrupting the connection between Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale and the Falcons shooters who are extremely accurate at goal.
- It’s opposite ends of the story for Boroondara Express and the Gippsland Stars as the Stars still search for their first win while Express have won against top four contenders. Hollie Bugeja will continue adapting her play for the Stars shooters who constantly rotate and will have to get around Millie van Diemen who has proven herself to be an asset in Express’ defence.
ONE TO WATCH
Ashlea Mawer will have her first hit out against the Bendigo Strikers’ formidable defensive lineup this week. Mawer's move from Tasmania to Victoria was one of the biggest signings in the offseason as the shooter brings years of experience and premiership success, making herself one of the most decorated athletes in Tasmanian Netball League (TNL) history. A six-time TNL MVP and multiple time Hot Shot winner with the Northern Hawks, Mawer adds plenty of experience to try and breakthrough the likes of Charlotte Sexton, Zoe Davies and Ruby Turner.
