KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- A buzzer beater sealed the deal for the City West Falcons, who managed a one-goal win over a tenacious Bendigo Strikers outfit. The final minute had spectators’ necks on a swivel, in a netball tennis match between Jane Cook (49 goals, 96%) and Teal Hocking (42 goals, 91%). Strikers’ defender Charlotte Sexton was impressive, with her leaps helping shut down Jane Cook as a target.
- You didn’t have to be courtside to know that Australian Diamond and Southern Saints’ 23&U head coach, Sharni Layton had taken to the court for the club’s Championship side. The defender pulled the dress on and stepped into her iconic GK position (for the first time in seven years), with her beaming voice encouraging her team. However, the injection of 46 international caps wasn’t enough to get the win over the Blaze. Georgia Moody dominated in both GA and WA, with a pace that left the Saints behind.
- Hawks Netball notched up their highest score for the season, defeating the Western Warriors by 25 goals. Ash Mawer (54 goals, 95%) continues to be an asset to the side, supported by Dominque Taylor, Jess Tetley and Hannah Keane. A few rotations from the Warriors couldn’t outsmart the Hawks.
23&Under
- A nail-biting finish to the Boroondara Express and Peninsula Waves game, saw the Waves claim the win on the siren. Neither team gave up, with critical turnovers from both sides in the dying minutes giving hope to all fans whose cheers were deafening. In the end, it was Charlize Gabel-Joseph (47 goals, 94%) who nailed the final shot.
- Geelong Cougars proved too good for the Casey Demons, taking home an eight goal win. Each side rotated through four goalers, giving themselves the best chance and exploring their best combinations. Eliza Dunell led the charge for the Cougars, scoring 26 (93%) of the 53 goals.
- Western Warriors put up a good fight against the Hawks, however the reigning premiers took the win. Despite a strong first half, the Warriors lost control in the third quarter and let the win slip away. Ebony Porter (27 goals, 90%) and Leona Hristovska (17 goals, 81%) surged late in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough for the Warriors.
RESULTS
Championship
City West Falcons (60) vs (59) Bendigo Strikers
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (44) vs (64) North East Blaze
Boroondara Express (69) vs (40) Peninsula Waves
Casey Demons (59) vs (51) Geelong Cougars
Melbourne University Lightning (52) vs (37) Gippsland Stars
Western Warriors (48) vs (73) Hawks Netball
23&Under
City West Falcons (52) vs (57) Bendigo Strikers
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (48) vs (74) North East Blaze
Boroondara Express (58) vs (59) Peninsula Waves
Casey Demons (45) vs (53) Geelong Cougars
Melbourne University Lightning (63) vs (50) Gippsland Stars
Western Warriors (48) vs (52) Hawks Netball
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
- 255 – Jane Cook (Falcons)
- 181 – Emma Ryde (Demons)
- 180 – Ashlea Mawer (Hawks)
23&Under
- 193 – Olivia Cawthray (Blaze)
- 152 – Charlize Gabel Joseph (Waves)
- 132 – Kate O’Dwyer (Lightning)
NEXT UP – ROUND 5 – SPLIT ROUND – HOME GAMES
Wednesday 9 April
Casey Demons vs Boroondara Express - Casey Stadium (Cranbourne East) - PURCHASE TICKETS
City West Falcons vs Geelong Cougars - Altona Sports Centre (Altona Meadows)
North East Blaze vs Bendigo Strikers - La Trobe Sports Stadium (Bundoora) - PURCHASE TICKETS
Gippsland Stars vs Peninsula Waves - Warragul Leisure Centre (Warragul)
Wednesday 16 April
Hawks Netball vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints - Stonnington Sports Centre (Malvern East)
Melbourne University Lightning vs Western Warriors - Narrandjeri Stadium (Thornbury)
