Commanding wins and tight tussles provided an exciting round of VNL! The Demons, Falcons and Lightning were on fire with wins in each division.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (58) defeated by City West Falcons (70)
Geelong Cougars (53) defeated Hawks Netball (52)
Melbourne University Lightning (69) defeated Ariels (46)
Boroondara Express (64) defeated North East Blaze (60)
Peninsula Waves (59) defeated by Casey Demons (79)
Boroondara Express enjoyed back-to-back wins after defeating North East Blaze by four goals. It was a top four clash that lived up to its hype with both side giving it their all, but a strong second half from Express proved to be the difference. Isabelle Hodgson continued her hot form under the post, shooting 44 goals at 94% accuracy, while Blaze’s Georgia Moody and Nyah Allen were valiant with 60 between them.
In another matchup that went down to the wire, Geelong Cougars held off Hawks Netball by just one goal. Brooke Allan stood tall in defence for the winning side with multiple intercepts, while Zara Walters had a night to remember in the middle. Kaylia Stanton fought hard for the Hawks with 45 goals against a strong Cougars outfit.
Melbourne University Lightning and Casey Demons also tallied some points this round with strong wins against Ariels and Peninsula Waves respectively, while City West Falcons continued their winning run after defeating the Southern Saints. Falcons’ Madelyn Gray had nothing but praise for her side following their 12-goal win.
“It was a good win and great to get out there with all 12 players,” Gray said.
“We had a lot of rolling subs, but it was good to get lots of combinations on court. It was a great team performance.”
DIVISION 1
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (47) defeated by City West Falcons (70)
Geelong Cougars (55) defeated Hawks Netball (43)
Melbourne University Lightning (63) defeated Ariels (46)
Boroondara Express (49) defeated by North East Blaze (57)
Peninsula Waves (52) defeated by Casey Demons (57)
Geelong Cougars have risen to the top of the Division 1 ladder after edging out Hawks Netball by 12 goals. Ellen Doyle produced a standout performance with 45 goals, while defenders Ashlee Smith and Olivia Taylor made life difficult for the Hawks goalers. Kaila Swindell and Chloe Duke were courageous for the Hawks, but their opponents proved too strong.
City West Falcons have rejoined the winners list with a 23-goal victory over Wilson Storage Southern Saints. Chloe Langley and Teal Hocking combined well in the circle with 58 goals between them, while Maddison Mckiernan was unstoppable in wing defence. Alanah McGurgan and Jordan Pyle were impressive for the Saints and gave it their all throughout the four quarters.
In other matchups, Melbourne University Lightning and North East Blaze recorded wins against Ariels and Boroondara Express, while Casey Demons enjoyed their second victory of the season after defeating Peninsula Waves. Myah Heeley put on a show under the post with 45 goals, while Sarah McCabe had another great night in wing attack. Waves’ Ella Roberton fought hard with 28 goals in the side’s five-goal loss.
19&UNDER
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (35) defeated by City West Falcons (65)
Geelong Cougars (35) defeated by Hawks Netball (56)
Melbourne University Lightning (73) defeated Ariels (41)
Boroondara Express (44) defeated by North East Blaze (81)
Peninsula Waves (56) defeated by Casey Demons (57)
Melbourne University Lightning continued their hot form with a commanding 32-goal win over Ariels. Kate O’Dwyer and Sahara Ball were unstoppable under the post, while Madison Brown was hard to fault in the midcourt. Mia Lui and Annecy Lyon were valiant for Ariels, but the ladder leaders were a class above.
North East Blaze made it two in a row after defeating Boroondara Express by 37 goals. Talasa Helen Aumua and Charlee Duff-Tytler were impressive in the circle with 60 goals combined, while Luiza Sulemani was solid in goalkeeper on the other end of the court. Teah Wilson fought hard for Express, scoring 33 goals across the 60 minutes, against a strong Blaze defence.
City West Falcons and Hawks Netball also enjoyed big wins, defeating the Saints and Hawks respectively, while only one goal separated Casey Demons and Peninsula Waves by the final whistle. Charlize Gabel Joseph had another great week in attack with 46 goals at 98% accuracy, but a combined 57 goals from Holly Stephens and Piuti Laban led the Demons to their narrow victory.
UP NEXT
Round 18
Wednesday 19 July
- Geelong Cougars vs Peninsula Waves
- Hawks Netball vs North East Blaze (Livestream – Netball Victoria Facebook Page)
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Melbourne University Lightning
- City West Falcons vs Casey Demons (Livestream – KommunityTV)
- Boroondara Express vs Ariels
