Round 11 marks the inaugural First Nations round in the VNL supported by RACV. The round is set to produce some cracking netball with a top four clash between City West Falcons and North East Blaze in the Championship division while Division 1 will also host a top of the table clash.
Fixture
Ariels v Melbourne University Lightning
North East Blaze v City West Falcons
Boroondara Express v Casey Demons
Peninsula Waves v Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Geelong Cougars v Hawks Netball
Championship- Tegan Stephenson
Tegan Stephenson is a key pillar in defence for the Wilson Storage Southern Saints, with her defensive pressure in the goal circle a real asset to her game. Stephenson brings that element of speed in defensive transition and isn’t afraid to wind up for the long pass on the transverse line to send the ball into attack. She has created a formidable defensive partnership with Ashlee Barnett with the pair winning plenty of ball back for their side. Stephenson and the Saints will be fit and firing when they come up against the Peninsula Waves on Wednesday night.
Division 1- Nakita Singe
Nakita Singe has been a key cog in the North East Blaze defence for most of the season and has played a key role in seeing the side remain undefeated. Singe has the game smarts to position herself in the right place to get the intercept or the defensive turnover. Singe can turn a 50-50 ball into possession for Blaze and has created a strong partnership with Ruby Tidd. The duo confuse the space making it hard for opposition teams to get past. Singe will have to be on her a-game when the North East Blaze come up against the second placed City West Falcons..
19/ Under- Arlee Bennett
In her first season in the VNL, Arlee Bennett has played a key role in the Geelong Cougars attack end. Bennett is a real playmaker in the Cougars goal circle and when she’s got her eye in she’s dangerous from just about anywhere, which many fans saw last week against the Blaze. The young goaler isn’t afraid to go for the long bombs and is crafty with ball in hand to edge herself closer to the post. Coming up against the Hawks this week, Bennett will be eager to replicate her performance to spur the Cougars on.
