KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- North East Blaze’s season is under threat after their third consecutive loss sent them falling to fourth position. Blaze suffered an unexpected 13-goal defeat to a full-strength MU Lightning, who were on a mission with their five-goal run early in the first quarter and went on to lead at every break. Lightning’s defensive combination of Melbourne Vixens squad members Gabby Coffey and Maggie Caris turned over plenty of ball, allowing MVP Ramayer Gourley to score 47 goals at 84%.
- Hawks Netball held off a brave Casey Demons outfit to edge closer to their finals berth, their path made a little smoother after Blaze’s loss. The Demons jumped to a narrow lead after the first quarter but couldn’t keep the shooting firepower of Kaylia Stanton (52 goals at 90%) at bay, as the Hawks muscled to a four-goal victory.
23&Under
- Alarm bells are ringing for City West Falcons who have suffered their fourth-straight defeat in a major upset to Western Warriors. Strong performances by Warriors bookends Ella Closter and Kiara Boyd helped lock up the two sides after the third quarter, before the Warriors jumped out of the gates with a stunning five-goal run that ultimately led to their victory. The Falcons now hold their finals position by a whisker, with Geelong Cougars and Peninsula Waves threatening to knock them off their perch.
- With a finals place on the line, Peninsula Waves produced a huge victory over Bendigo Strikers. The dynamic Waves attack of Charlize Gabel Joseph (37 goals, 100%) and Taylah Werner (10 goals, 90%) could only be held off for the first 15 minutes, before opening an unstoppable 25-goal margin. The win sees Waves sitting two points outside the top four, with a final round clash against Gippsland Stars to come.
RESULTS
Championship
North East Blaze (48) vs (61) MU Lightning
WS Southern Saints (46) vs (54) Boroondara Express
Peninsula Waves (44) vs (61) Bendigo Strikers
City West Falcons (82) vs (56) Western Warriors
Hawks Netball (64) vs (60) Casey Demons
*Geelong Cougars BYE
23&Under
North East Blaze (62) vs (72) MU Lightning
WS Southern Saints (56) vs (48) Boroondara Express
Peninsula Waves (63) vs (38) Bendigo Strikers
City West Falcons (51) vs (54) Western Warriors
Hawks Netball (56) vs (41) Casey Demons
Geelong Cougars (61) vs (43) Gippsland Stars (23&U only – Championship BYE)
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Will remain undisclosed for the final four rounds
NEXT UP – ROUND 22
Wednesday 17 July
State Netball Centre, Parkville
Casey Demons vs City West Falcons
Western Warriors vs WS Southern Saints
Geelong Cougars vs Hawks Netball
Gippsland Stars vs Peninsula Waves
Boroondara Express vs North East Blaze
Bendigo Strikers vs MU Lightning
