KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- North East Blaze made a statement with a 20-goal win over Western Warriors. Emerging talent including Victorian 19/U representatives Tara Watson and Mia Lavis impressed in centre and goal attack respectively, while the experienced Georgia Moody showed her versatility across the transverse line (GA/WA). The major talking point though was the VNL debut of South African athlete Rolene Streutker, the newly signed Melbourne Mavericks training partner, who scored 29 goals at 90% accuracy in a half of netball.
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints were relentless in their 21-goal win over Peninsula Waves, Emily Andrew dominant under the post with 45 goals from 50 attempts. The Waves’ defensive unit of April Bethune, Cassandra Grigoriadis and Lyshae Barry fought hard to contain Andrew but the Melbourne Vixens squad member was unstoppable, her connection with feeders Alex Moody and Jordyn Adams particularly impressive.
23&Under
- Hawks Netball put on a show up against new club Gippsland Stars, registering a blistering 70-25 win. Hawks’ attacking combination of Jessica Tetley and Dominique Taylor shared the shooting load, scoring 30 goals each, while versatile defensive midcourter and 19/U Victorian athlete Georgie O’Brien impressed rotating across centre, goal defence and wing defence. Stars fought hard, Lucy McKellar valiant in goal defence and the midcourt combination of Ava Gaul and Chloe Radford continuing to build, but Hawks were too strong all over the court.
- City West Falcons claimed a 12-goal win over Bendigo Strikers, Victorian 17/U representative Amalani Fauonuku putting in a consistent performance in the circle (33 goals at 85% accuracy). Strikers had their own state underage reps on court, Harriet Gall and Mackenzie O’Dwyer impressing in full four-quarter efforts in wing attack and wing defence respectively, but Falcons made the most of their bench depth and got over the line.
RESULTS
Championship
Boroondara Express (63) – (57) Casey Demons
Peninsula Waves (43) – (64) WS Southern Saints
Geelong Cougars (49) – (41) MU Lightning
North East Blaze (74) – (54) Western Warriors
Bendigo Strikers (52) – (70) City West Falcons
*Hawks Netball BYE
23&Under
Boroondara Express (58) – (46) Casey Demons
Peninsula Waves (47) – (51) WS Southern Saints
Geelong Cougars (53) – (60) MU Lightning
North East Blaze (63) – (40) Western Warriors
Bendigo Strikers (41) – (53) City West Falcons
Hawks Netball (70) – (25) Gippsland Stars
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
1. 131 – Jane Cook (Falcons)
2. 124 – Isabelle Hodgson (Express)
3. 113 – Kim Borger (Warriors)
23&Under
1. 99 – Jess Tetley (Hawks)
2. 94 – Tully Bethune (Cougars)
3. 90 – Hayley Howard (Saints)
NEXT UP – ROUND 4
Wednesday 27 March
State Netball Centre, Parkville
City West Falcons vs Gippsland Stars (23&U only; Falcons Championship BYE)
Boroondara Express vs Hawks Netball
Bendigo Strikers vs North East Blaze
Casey Demons vs Western Warriors
Geelong Cougars vs WS Southern Saints
Jubilee Park Stadium, Frankston
Peninsula Waves vs MU Lightning
