The Victorian Netball League began with a bang on Wednesday night, with the competition proving as fierce as ever. It’s set to be a highly contested season with three matches ending in draws, two of which were in the 19&U division.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Casey Demons (45) defeated by Hawks Netball (52)
Melbourne University Lightning (43) defeated by Wilson Storage Southern Saints (51)
Peninsula Waves (41) defeated by Boroondara Express (60)
Ariels (42) defeated by North East Blaze (60)
Geelong Cougars (51) defeated City West Falcons (48)
The North East Blaze made it a clean sweep in their first round of the season, defeating Ariels in all three divisions. Kaylia Stanton shot out of the blocks for the Hawks in their Championship match, scoring 12 of her 44 goals in the first quarter. 2022 Hot Shot award winner Emma Ryde got her season off to a hot start with 34 goals for Casey, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Hawks from claiming the win.
Wilson Storage Southern Saints claimed an eight-goal win over Melbourne University Lightning, while Boroondara defeated Peninsula Waves by 19 goals in a comfortable win. Ruby Barkmeyer was Boroondara’s sharpest shooter with 92% accuracy from her 26 shots on goal.
Championship and 19&U reigning champions the City West Falcons travelled to Torquay on Sunday to face the Geelong Cougars at Wurdi Baierr Stadium. City West Falcons' Championship goal shooter Jane Cook starred with 95% accuracy under the post, but Geelong Cougars proved their fighting spirit, claiming a narrow victory.
DIVISION 1
Peninsula Waves (47) defeated by Boroondara Express (58)
Melbourne University Lightning (51) drew with Wilson Storage Southern Saints (51)
Ariels (44) defeated by North East Blaze (61)
Casey Demons (35) defeated by Hawks Netball (62)
Geelong Cougars (48) defeated City West Falcons (46)
As reigning Division 1 champions, the Hawks wasted no time stamping their name on the competition, achieving a decisive 27 goal win against Casey Demons. Emmalia Blake was the standout for the Ariels in their Division 1 battle, scoring at an incredible 97% accuracy. But it wasn’t enough to topple North East Blaze, who claimed the victory 61–44 with goal shooter Abigail Gedge scoring a mammoth 50 goals.
Defence from both Peninsula and Boroondara teams was strong, with several defenders pulling off some stunning intercepts. In Torquay, goaler Emma Buwalda scored 40 of Geelong’s 48 goals, leading the team to victory against City West Falcons in a hard-fought match.
It was a nail-biting end to the Division 1 clash between Melbourne University Lightning and Wilson Storage Southern Saints, with the Lightning surging home to create an almost fairytale ending for the club. Lavinia Fox and Claire Oakley combined to score 13 goals in the last quarter to level the scores only for the buzzer to sound, confirming the third draw of the round.
19 & UNDER
Ariels (36) defeated by North East Blaze (68)
Peninsula Waves (48) drew with Boroondara Express (48)
Casey Demons (45) drew with Hawks Netball (45)
Melbourne University Lightning (49) defeated Wilson Storage Southern Saints (34)
Geelong Cougars (44) defeated by City West Falcons (57)
Helen Aumua starred for the North East Blaze in their 19&U match against Ariels, scoring 36 of the team’s 68 goals. Charlize Gabel Joseph stood tall with 31 goals for the Waves, who drew their match against Boroondara 48-all. Casey Demons and Hawks Netball battled out the other draw in the 19&U division, with the teams ending the 60 minutes with 45 goals apiece.
Melbourne University Lightning claimed a comfortable win over the Wilson Storage Southern Saints, making up for their Championship loss earlier in the night. The City West Falcons 19&U team wasted no time in asserting their intention to go back-to-back, defeating Geelong by 13 goals.
UP NEXT
Round 2 – Wednesday 22 March
- Ariels vs Boroondara Express
(Livestream – Kommunity TV)
- Geelong Cougars vs Melbourne University Lightning
(Livestream – Netball Victoria Facebook page)
- City West Falcons vs Peninsula Waves
- North East Blaze vs Hawks Netball
- Casey Demons vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints
View the full 2023 fixture
