KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- North East Blaze proved too good for MU Lightning in their clash at Darebin. Relentless defensive pressure from Ty Coppinger in a strong four-quarter performance made it difficult for Lightning to score, and accurate feeding from Ella Bayliss across the match enabled Blaze’s rotating circle to capitalise on their side’s defensive gains.
- Bendigo Strikers claimed their first Championship division victory in their VNL history, with a commanding 42-goal win over Peninsula Waves. Charlotte Sexton and Ashley Ryan starred for the Strikers, turning over a mountain of ball and feeding attackers with ease.
- Hawks Netball travelled to Casey and put on a dominant performance in front of a strong crowd. Midcourters Keighley Starrett and Eryn Stocker combined well for Hawks, creating a smooth transition from defence to attack. Kaylia Stanton owned the goal circle, scoring 53 goals (93% accuracy) of Hawks’ total of 66.
- Boroondara continued on their winning way with an impressive 60-minute performance against WS Southern Saints. Express goalers Ruby Barkmeyer and Isabelle Hodgson were clinical again, with pinpoint feeds from Alahria Smith contributing to the win.
23&Under
- MU Lightning put out a commanding start (7-1) in their first home game for the season at Narrandjeri Stadium in Darebin but couldn’t hold off a fast-finishing Blaze side. Blaze trialled a number of goaling combinations, and a commanding performance from Dee Dee Lambert (29 goals at 94% accuracy) saw her set her team up to claim a 10-goal win and remain on top of the ladder.
- The crowd were treated to a shooting masterclass by WS Southern Saints’ Rose Laidlaw and Hayley Howard, who dominated the circle with accuracy from long range. Laidlaw was assisted by Zoe Leaver and Lenna Brunn, who each picked up intercepts across the court.
- It was a tight tussle between western clubs City West Falcons and newcomers Western Warriors, with Falcons coming out on top. Mikaela Minns had a stellar performance in defence, whilst Kiralee Collings was Warriors’ best.
RESULTS
Championship
Bendigo Strikers (77) – (35) Peninsula Waves
Western Warriors (57) – (66) City West Falcons
WS Southern Saints (48) – (60) Boroondara Express
MU Lightning (41) – (52) North East Blaze
Casey Demons (52) – (66) Hawks Netball
*Geelong Cougars BYE
23&Under
Bendigo Strikers (48) – (54) Peninsula Waves
Western Warriors (36) – (60) City West Falcons
Geelong Cougars (61) – (41) Gippsland Stars
WS Southern Saints (60) – (47) Boroondara Express
MU Lightning (47) – (57) North East Blaze
Casey Demons (41) – (68) Hawks Netball
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
1. 200 – Kim Borger (Warriors)
2. 184 – Bella Hodgson (Express)
3. 177 – Kaylia Stanton (Hawks)
23&Under
1. 160 – Jess Tetley (Hawks)
2. 144 – Tully Bethune (Cougars)
3. 140 – Dee Dee Lambert (Blaze)
NEXT UP – ROUND 6
Wednesday 10 April
State Netball Centre, Parkville
North East Blaze vs Peninsula Waves
Boroondara Express vs Western Warriors
Gippsland Stars vs MU Lightning (23&U only; Lightning Championship BYE)
Bendigo Strikers vs Casey Demons
Waverley
Hawks Netball vs WS Southern Saints
Altona
City West Falcons vs Geelong Cougars
