Round 16 of the Victorian Netball League kicks off on Wednesday night with a top of the table clash in Division 1 between the North East Blaze and Hawks Netball as the race for finals heats up with just three rounds to go. In honour of NAIDOC week, Casey Demons will once again be wearing their First Nations dresses.
Fixture
Casey Demons v Peninsula Waves
Wilson Storage Southern Saints v Melbourne University Lightning
Ariels v City West Falcons
Geelong Cougars v Boroondara Express
North East Blaze v Hawks Netball
Championship- Ramayer Gourley
Ramayer Gourley has been an important part of the Melbourne University Lightning make up this season. Gourley can play at either end of the court but has been a key cog in the Lightning defence end this season. She has created a formidable combination with fellow defender Gabby Coffey. Gourley has a great read on the ball, able to put herself in the right place at the right time to win possession back for her team. The talented defender will need to be firing when the Lightning come up against the Wilson Storage Southern Saints.
Division 1- Sophie Hanrahan
In her first season in the VNL, Sophie Hanrahan hasn’t looked out of place in the City West Falcons side. Hanrahan is a defensive midcourter who can also spend time in the defensive goal circle if needed. She gets fingertips to almost every pass that comes her way which puts that element of doubt in the heads of her opponent, as shown in the Falcons Round 14 clash against the Saints. Hanrahan has proven to be an exciting option through the centre, also providing some strong drives to help open up the court and bring the ball into the attacking third.
19/Under- Jessica Tetley
Jessica Tetley has been a key player in the Peninsula Waves attack this season, controlling the play in that goal circle for the Waves with her clever timing and spatial awareness. She has a strong combination with Ella Roberton with the pair having come through the 17/ Under Peninsula Elite Netball pathway together. Tetley is strong in the air with a strong vertical jump that makes it hard for defenders to match up against her, causing plenty of headaches for opposition defenders. The goaler is accurate when going to post and can sink those long range shots as well.
