Round 13 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) commences at the State Netball and Hockey Centre (SNHC) on Wednesday night from 7pm AEST.
Fans can expect the competition to go up another notch with the Championship clubs set to be strengthened by the return of their Victorian Fury athletes, who were successful in winning a seventh Australian Netball League title on Sunday.
Championship ladder leaders, the City West Falcons will host the Geelong Cougars on Court One.
It is an important match for both sides with the Falcons looking to continue their 11-game winning streak, while the Cougars need a victory to remain in the hunt for a place in the top four.
The Cougars’ quest for victory will be bolstered by the return of star defender Kate Thompson from Fury.
“Kate will bring a lot of experience and height which we will need to combat Jane Cook and Kath Knott,” Geelong Cougars Head Coach Gerard Murphy said.
“We have a difficult run for the final six weeks of the season coming up against three of the top four. We need to win at least three of the six to stay close and win four or five to close the gap to Saints or Boroondara.
“I have full confidence in the team that they can continue to build confidence and make finals.”
The two teams’ Division One and 19/Under clashes will also be great battles too with both sides firmly entrenched in the top four.
The Cougars 19/Under team have been superb this season, currently undefeated after 12 rounds.
On Court Two, the Yarra Valley Ariels will take on the Monash University Storm, and on Court Four the Boroondara Express will challenge the ACU Sovereigns.
The Community Bank Stadium will stage the DC North East Blaze versus the Wilson Storage Southern Saints on Saturday.
The Blaze currently sit first and second respectively on the Division One and 19/Under ladders and look destined to secure a place in the finals this season.
However, if they want to compete in all three finals they must win their Championship clash on Saturday as the Saints currently sit two rungs higher on the ladder in fourth place.
Round 13 will conclude on Sunday when the Melbourne University Lightning take on the Peninsula Waves at the SNHC.
Their Division One clash looks set to be one to watch, with both teams sitting on six wins and six losses.
For the latest VNL news, results and statistics visit vnl.com.au.
VNL Round 13 Fixtures
Wednesday 29 June, 7pm
Boroondara Express v ACU Sovereigns (SNHC Court 4)
City West Falcons v Geelong Cougars (SNHC Court 1)
Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels v Monash University Storm (SNHC Court 2)
Saturday 2 July, 5pm
DC North East Blaze v Wilson Storage Southern Saints (Community Bank Stadium)
Sunday 3 July, 12.30pm
Melbourne University Lightning v Peninsula Waves (SNHC)
