KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- Western Warriors claimed an historic win in their first ever VNL match, defeating Peninsula Waves (67-50). Former Melbourne Vixen Kim Borger starred for Warriors, shooting 49 goals at 96% accuracy, while April Bethune was a steady presence in goal defence for Waves against the experienced Julia Woolley.
- Boroondara Express were seeking redemption after their 2023 grand final loss and delivered with a thrilling one-goal win over reigning premiers City West Falcons. Ruby Barkmeyer played the full 60 minutes in her return from injury and shared the shooting load for Express with young gun Bella Hodgson, while Falcons tested new combinations with former Collingwood Magpie Shimona Jok joining Jane Cook and Uneeq Palavi in attack.
23&Under
- North East Blaze made a statement with a big win over the Gippsland Stars, who fought hard in their debut match. Blaze proved near impossible to stop under the post shooting at 91% accuracy for the match, despite the best efforts of the Stars’ Anna Solomon who showed her versatility across all three defensive positions.
- Hawks Netball and Melbourne University Lightning delivered the first draw of the season, fighting out a tough battle ending at 56-all. Lightning got all four of their shooters out on court, with former 19&U players Kate O’Dwyer and Emma Winfield both impressing with high accuracy.
RESULTS
Championship
Hawks Netball (63) – (37) MU Lightning
Casey Demons (59) – (55) Geelong Cougars
Western Warriors (67) – (50) Peninsula Waves
City West Falcons (57) – (58) Boroondara Express
WS Southern Saints (54) – (41) def Bendigo Strikers
*North East Blaze BYE
23&Under
City West Falcons (48) – (46) Boroondara Express
WS Southern Saints (65) – (27) Bendigo Strikers
North East Blaze (74) – (32) Gippsland Stars
Hawks Netball (56) – (56) MU Lightning
Western Warriors (41) – (35) Peninsula Waves
Casey Demons (45) – (57) Geelong Cougars
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
1. 49 – Kim Borger (Warriors)
2. 46 – Emma Ryde (Casey)
3. 39 – Kaylia Stanton (Hawks)
3. 39 – Isabelle Hodgson (Express)
3. 39 – Jane Cook (Falcons)
23&Under
1. 42 – Hayley Howard (Saints)
2. 40 – Jess Tetley (Hawks)
3. 32 – Dee Dee Lambert (Blaze)
NEXT UP – ROUND 2
City West Falcons vs Hawks Netball
Casey Demons vs MU Lightning
Bendigo Strikers vs Gippsland Stars (*23&U only; Warriors Championship BYE)
WS Southern Saints vs North East Blaze
Peninsula Waves vs Boroondara Express
Geelong Cougars vs Western Warriors
