The VNL finals are upon us - the semi finals kick off on Wednesday night with the best sides of 2023 battling it out in each division at the State Netball Centre.
FIXTURE
Wednesday 26 July
Championship
- City West Falcons vs Geelong Cougars
- Boroondara Express vs Melbourne University Lightning
Division 1
- Geelong Cougars vs Hawks Netball
- City West Falcons vs North East Blaze
19&Under
- Melbourne University Lightning vs City West Falcons
- North East Blaze vs Hawks Netball
BROADCAST GUIDE
Netball Victoria Facebook and KommunityTV
7pm
Division 1 | 1 vs 2 – Geelong Cougars v Hawks Netball
8.45pm
Championship | 3 vs 4 – Boroondara Express v Melbourne University Lightning
Exclusive to KommunityTV
7pm
19&U | 1 vs 2 – Melbourne University Lightning v City West Falcons
Division 1 | 3 vs 4 – City West Falcons v North East Blaze
8:45pm
Championship | 1 vs 2 – City West Falcons v Geelong Cougars
19&U | 3 vs 4 – North East Blaze v Hawks
ONES TO WATCH
Championship
Minor premiers City West Falcons will take on Geelong Cougars in the first week of finals. The Falcons were unstoppable this season with 17 wins, while the Cougars, who finished in second, recorded 14 and a draw. Having both claimed wins during the home and away season, each team will be keen to break the stalemate and book their spot in the grand final. Brooke Allan, who’s been a pillar in the Cougars’ defence, will need to continue that form when she takes on sharpshooter Jane Cook in the circle.
Third-placed Boroondara Express face Melbourne University Lightning in the Semi Finals. Express enjoyed 14 wins this season, while the fourth-placed Lightning tallied ten. With one win apiece, it’s set to be an exciting 60 minutes of netball as goalers Isabelle Hodgson and Mikaela Vaughan go head-to-head on both ends of the court.
Division 1
Geelong Cougars will kick off their finals campaign against Hawks Netball. The Cougars topped the Division 1 ladder with 15 wins, while the second-placed Hawks enjoyed 13 wins and two draws. These sides faced each other in Round 9, with the Hawks winning by six goals, and Round 17 when the Cougars got one back with a 12-goal victory. Expect to see a fierce battle between Kaila Swindell and Kiahna Fallon, who’ve both been outstanding in the midcourt this season.
City West Falcons, who finished in third, come up against the fourth-placed North East Blaze this week. The Falcons had a strong 2023 with 12 wins and three draws, while Blaze were also impressive with 13. The Falcons have had the better of their opponent during the regular season, but with less than three goals separating the two sides on both occasions, their semi final will be an unmissable spectacle. Falcons’ defender Charli Nicol will have her hands full trying to stop an in-form Abby Gedge under the post.
19&Under
Minor premiers Melbourne University Lighting will take on City West Falcons in the first week of finals. The Lightning haven't lost a match since Round 5, while the second-placed Falcons recorded an impressive 16 wins in their home and away season. Keep an eye on the midcourt as Montaya Sardi and Sophie Garner battle it out in a highly anticipated match up.
Third-placed North East Blaze face Hawks Netball this week in a Round 18 rematch. Blaze recorded 15 wins this season, while the Hawks, who finished in fourth, tallied 11 wins and a draw. While Blaze claimed the points both times that they’ve met, only six goals separated the two sides last week. Eliza Molino, who’s been crucial for the Hawks’ defensive lineup this season, will need to be on her game when she comes up against an in-form Charlee Duff-Tytler.
Spectator Entry
Adults - $5
Concessions/Under 16 - $2
World Cup Bound
City West Falcons will be without four players who are on their way to Cape Town to compete at the 2023 Netball World Cup. Congratulations to Lucia Fauonuku, Beyonce Palavi and Uneeq Palavi who will represent Tonga Tala, and to Tharjini Sivalingam who has been selected in the Sri Lankan side.
