KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- Boroondara Express held off a final quarter fightback from North East Blaze to secure a one-goal victory. Express held a consistent three-goal buffer for much of the match, but a string of crucial turnovers in the final quarter allowed Blaze to briefly snatch the lead. A timely intercept from Ruby Pekin-Schlicht gave Express the chance to control possession, wind down the clock and shoot the match-winning goal with only seconds remaining. Ruby Barkmeyer (19 goals, 79%) was a composed presence in attack, linking seamlessly between the circle and the midcourt. For Blaze, Georgia Bowkett and Ty Coppinger were exceptional in defence, applying relentless pressure and disrupting Express’ attacking flow by forcing errors.
- Western Warriors claimed a much-needed win, defeating Melbourne University Lightning by four goals. Leading at every break, the Warriors pushed the margin out to 12 goals before a late seven-goal run from the Lightning brought the margin back within reach. Tilly Shepherd won ball in crucial moments for Lightning, but Warriors’ shooter Rebecca Hicks was too clinical at the post (36 goals, 97%). Tepaea Hobson returned from an ACL reconstruction for the Lightning while Tayla Honey was a standout in the midcourt for the Warriors, racking up several key pickups.
- The Bendigo Strikers have come away with a resounding 23-goal win over the Gippsland Stars. A seven-goal run in the first quarter set the tone but the first half remained tightly contested, with the Stars showing promising patches. Despite creating chances, Gippsland struggled with accuracy in the shooting circle, allowing Bendigo to regain control and convert key turnovers. The injection of Teal Hocking (19 goals, 95%) and Milly Wicks after halftime gave the Strikers renewed energy, helping them pull away to seal the win. For the Stars, Alison Dwyer was a standout, driving their transition play with pace and smart decision-making.
23&Under
- In a crucial 4 vs 5 clash, Hawks Netball claimed a four-goal victory over the Geelong Cougars to move into fourth position on the ladder. A close opening half showcased the even match-up between the two sides however Hawks began to pull away in the second half, capitalising on defensive pressure to extend their lead to 10 goals. While Geelong mounted a late comeback – sparked by key turnovers from Charli Hoey and Mia Aitken – it wasn’t enough to pull the margin back. Jasmine Hamilton set the tone defensively with her aerial skills and ball hunting ability, pivotal in creating turnovers for the Hawks. She was well-rewarded by Dakota Blade at the post, shooting 37 goals at 94% accuracy.
- City West Falcons have kept their finals hopes alive with a strong 12-goal triumph over the Southern Saints. While the Falcons looked to break away multiple times, the Saints continued to fight their way back into the contest. The move of Ellarnah Hanlen into goal shooter provided more movement around the circle, challenging the Falcons’ defence. Down the other end, Amalani Fauonuku proved key in the Falcons’ shooting circle with 41 goals at 89% accuracy, her strong holds and drives placing herself in prime shooting position.
- Casey Demons secured a solid victory over the Peninsula Waves, delivering a composed four-quarter performance. Knowing the importance of a strong start, the Demons hit the ground running and despite their best efforts, the Waves couldn’t close the gap. Lupe Fonua brought unmatched energy in defence, giving Casey the edge with her work rate, timing and ability to disrupt play in the Waves’ attacking third. Mackenzie Oracz was a standout for the Waves in the midcourt, showing confidence with her passing even under strong pressure from the Demons' defence.
RESULTS
Championship
Western Warriors (62) vs (58) Melbourne University Lighting
Boroondara Express (53) vs (52) North East Blaze
City West Falcons (78) vs (43) Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Geelong Cougars (45) vs (56) Hawks Netball
Bendigo Strikers (69) vs (46) Gippsland Stars
Casey Demons (76) vs (58) Peninsula Waves
23&Under
Western Warriors (48) vs (72) Melbourne University Lighting
Boroondara Express (47) vs (64) North East Blaze
City West Falcons (58) vs (46) Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Geelong Cougars (53) vs (57) Hawks Netball
Bendigo Strikers (64) vs (42) Gippsland Stars
Casey Demons (59) vs (51) Peninsula Waves
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
- 773 – Jane Cook (Falcons)
- 628 – Emma Ryde (Demons)
- 553 – Ashlea Mawer (Hawks)
23&Under
- 599 – Olivia Cawthray (Blaze)
- 394 – Hayley Howard (Saints)
- 391 – Charlize Gabel Joseph (Waves)
NEXT UP – ROUND 14
Wednesday 18 June
Geelong Cougars vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints
North East Blaze vs Gippsland Stars
Melbourne University Lightning vs City West Falcons
Peninsula Waves vs Bendigo Strikers
Hawks Netball vs Boroondara Express
Western Warriors vs Casey Demons
