KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- Second-placed Boroondara Express have fallen for the third match in a row, this time at the hands of Casey Demons (67-59) who move into eighth on the ladder. The score was kept even until a run of five goals to one late in the second quarter pushed the Demons in front. Goal shooter Emma Ryde spearheaded the attack with 50 goals at 87% accuracy, and was well fed by centre Ash Gill. Rival teams will be taking note as the form slump from Express presents big opportunities leading into finals.
- North East Blaze escaped a last-minute surge from the Western Warriors, to hold on for a 58-60 win. The Warriors trailed the entire match, from a seven-goal deficit early in the first, which opened to 11 at the end of the third quarter. Warriors goalers Kim Borger and Julia Woolley produced a formidable performance, scoring 18 goals in the final term, while defenders Jasmine Frazer, Natalie Tommasini and Olivia Ellis kept Blaze to just nine. The third-placed Blaze held on at six goals ahead in the 58th minute, before another gutsy four-goal run by the Warriors almost tied the game up.
- Geelong Cougars overcame Melbourne University Lightning (41-53) to move ahead on ladder percentage in a three-way tie for fourth position. Hawks Netball (bye) lead the trio by just over three percentage points.
23&Under
- Melbourne University Lightning held off Geelong Cougars (52-50) in a match full of momentum swings, to retain their stronghold of second place on the ladder. The Lightning led from half-time but battled to keep their margin against the relentless Cougars. Defenders Charli Hoey and Mia Aitken were an imposing duo that forced Lightning into using four different goalers throughout the tussle.
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints tied with Peninsula Waves in a dramatic 48-48 finish. Two goals in the final 30 seconds from Waves goal shooter Charlize Gabel Joseph sealed the draw in a match largely controlled by the Saints.
RESULTS
Championship
Casey Demons (67) vs (59) Boroondara Express
Melbourne University Lightning (41) vs (53) Geelong Cougars
City West Falcons (71) vs (52) Bendigo Strikers
Western Warriors (58) vs (60) North East Blaze
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (64) vs (44) Peninsula Waves
*Hawks Netball BYE
23&Under
Gippsland Stars (43) vs (71) Hawks Netball
Casey Demons (56) vs (63) Boroondara Express
Melbourne University Lightning (52) vs (50) Geelong Cougars
City West Falcons (69) vs (52) Bendigo Strikers
Western Warriors (45) vs (69) North East Blaze
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (48) vs (48) Peninsula Waves
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
1. 621 – Jane Cook (Falcons)
2. 599 – Kaylia Stanton (Hawks)
3. 585 – Emma Ryde (Casey)
23&Under
1. 518 – Charlize Gabel Joseph (Waves)
2. 460 – Hayley Howard (Saints)
3. 432 – Ella Closter (Warriors)
NEXT UP – ROUND 17
Wednesday 19 June
State Netball Centre, Parkville
Peninsula Waves vs North East Blaze
Melbourne University Lightning vs Gippsland Stars (23&U only – Championship BYE)
Western Warriors vs Boroondara Express
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Hawks Netball
Geelong Cougars vs City West Falcons
Casey Demons vs Bendigo Strikers
