Tight tussles and team performances provided an exciting week of VNL. The Demons gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about, while City West Falcons were on fire!
CHAMPIONSHIP
Ariels (44) defeated by Geelong Cougars (67)
City West Falcons (76) defeated Boroondara Express (56)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (61) defeated Hawks Netball (50)
Melbourne University Lightning (58) defeated North East Blaze (44)
Casey Demons (71) defeated Peninsula Waves (59)
City West Falcons have risen to the top of the ladder after handing Boroondara Express their first loss of 2023. Jane Cook produced a standout performance, shooting 57 goals at 96% accuracy in the team’s 20-goal victory. Isabelle Hodgson was impressive in attack for Express with 28 goals earning her three votes. But it wasn’t enough to challenge the red-hot Falcons.
Melbourne University Lighting, Wilson Storage Southern Saints and Casey Demons got themselves back on the winners lists, claiming victories against Blaze, Hawks Netball and the Waves respectively. Melbourne Vixens training partner Maggie Caris put in an outstanding defensive performance for the Lightning, picking up three votes. Geelong Cougars made it two in a row with a 23-goal win over Ariels.
DIVISION 1
Ariels (49) defeated by Geelong Cougars (67)
City West Falcons (59) defeated Boroondara Express (47)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (44) defeated by Hawks Netball (59)
Melbourne University Lightning (50) defeated North East Blaze (47)
Casey Demons (49) defeated Peninsula Waves (36)
The Demons enjoyed their first win of the season in front of a packed Casey Stadium, defeating Peninsula Waves by 13 goals. Defensive pressure was on full display on both ends of the court; Hannah Kuhar claiming MVP for her midcourt performance, while Demons duo Myah Healey and Jemma Osborne proved too good in attack with 46 goals combined.
Geelong Cougars continued their dominance with a commanding win against Ariels. In what was a strong team performance, Ellen Doyle scored more than half of Geelong’s goals in their 18-point victory. Ariels’ Emmalia Blake fought hard, shooting 43 goals at 93% accuracy, but the valiant effort fell short against a solid Cougars outfit. After a foot injury ended her season in 2022, Caitlyn Alifraco returned for the Hawks in spectacular style, and was named the match MVP in their victory over Wilson Storage Southern Saints.
19&UNDER
Ariels (49) defeated Geelong Cougars (47)
City West Falcons (61) defeated Boroondara Express (39)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (37) defeated by Hawks Netball (38)
Melbourne University Lightning (45) defeated by North East Blaze (52)
Casey Demons (62) defeated Peninsula Waves (58)
City West Falcons remain the only undefeated team in the division after defeating Boroondara Express by 22-goals. Co-coaches Hayley Cran and Maddy Bosanko described the win as a ‘team effort’, with the side undermanned and missing two key players returning from Nationals.
“We were missing our 6ft. 5in goal shooter Chris (Christine Oguche) and our defender Charlotte (Sexton),” Cran said.
“The girls did a fantastic team effort,” Bosanko replied.
North East Blaze were also impressive in Round 5, bouncing back from Round 4 and handing Melbourne University Lightning their first loss of 2023. Charlee Duff-Tytler led in attack, scoring 26 of Blaze’s 52 goals, to help the side to a seven-goal win. Saachi Donald kept the Saints in the contest in their one-goal loss against the Hawks, claiming an MVP performance as goal keeper.
UP NEXT
Round 6 – Wednesday 26 April
- Hawks Netball vs Boroondara Express (Livestream – Netball Victoria Facebook Page)
- Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Geelong Cougars (Livestream – Kommunity TV)
- Peninsula Waves vs Melbourne University Lightning
- Casey Demons vs North East Blaze
- City West Falcons vs Ariels (Altona Sports Centre)
