KEY MOMENTS
All clubs are on the road for Round 5’s split round, with six teams hosting games across the Victoria.
Championship
- Geelong Cougars started strongly, with Brooke Allen formidable in defence, taking a lead 5-0 early. However, accuracy ultimately let them down, scoring just three goals in the second quarter. From there, the Cougars had no answers for the Falcons’ surge, making it a difficult task to counteract the reigning premiers.
- Casey Demons and Boroondara Express went goal-for-goal early, until Express slowly built their dominance with their clinical defence. Bella Hodgson’s 51 goals (94%) was a clear option for Express under the post as their strong moving target. Casey’s Sacha McDonald showcased her versatility in centre and goal attack and utilised her connections throughout the whole court. Rotations were heavy as both teams continued to throw everything at their opposition, ultimately going Boroondara’s way.
23&Under
- North East Blaze remains undefeated, handing Bendigo Strikers their first loss of the season. The first half belonged to Blaze, leading by 13 goals at the major break with Georgia Shattock and Ally Langdon shining in defence. The second half shifted, with the Strikers’ moving circle in Ella Kerlin and Mia McCrann-Peters taking control. Skipper Shae Clifford kept the engine running in the midcourt to keep up with Blaze’s pace on the ball and scoring rate.
- City West Falcons and Geelong Cougars were missing key figures due to the National Netball Championships, so it was time for the youngsters to showcase their skills. Seven lead changes in the first half depicted how tight the contest was that lasted for the whole game. Clutch shooting from Eliza Dunell (43 goals, 87%) and midcourt heroics from Meg Kelson in her debut game kept the Cougars ahead.
- It was a shaky night at the post for both Gippsland Stars and Peninsula Waves, as neither team established a solid lead until the last break. The Waves led by as much as 12 goals, but the Stars punished in the last quarter to draw the match. Myah Healey (27 goals, 79%) had the ball on a string for the Stars, putting scoreboard pressure on the Waves. The Stars kept the Waves to three goals for the final quarter, after a 20-goal third quarter. Stars had a chance to take the win, but a missed shot just before the siren, ending in a draw.
RESULTS
Championship
City West Falcons (68) vs (36) Geelong Cougars (Altona)
Casey Demons (58) vs (70) Boroondara Express (Casey)
Gippsland Stars (48) vs (45) Peninsula Waves (Warragul)
North East Blaze (55) vs (59) Bendigo Strikers (Bundoora)
Still to come:
Hawks Netball vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints (Stonnington)
Melbourne University Lightning vs Western Warriors (Darebin)
23&Under
City West Falcons (54) vs (55) Geelong Cougars
Casey Demons (43) vs (55) Boroondara Express
Gippsland Stars (45) vs (45) Peninsula Waves
North East Blaze (72) vs (59) Bendigo Strikers
Still to come:
Hawks Netball vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Melbourne University Lightning vs Western Warriors
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
- 297 – Jane Cook (Falcons)
- 228 – Emma Ryde (Demons)
- 204 – Isabelle Hodgson (Express)
*Round not complete
23&Under
- 245 – Olivia Cawthray (Blaze)
- 152 – Charlize Gabel Joseph (Waves)
- 149 – Henrietta Donoghue (Express)
*Round not complete
NEXT UP – ROUND 6
Wednesday 23 April
Hawks Netball vs Geelong Cougars
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Bendigo Strikers
Gippsland Stars vs Western Warriors
City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express
Sunday 27 April
Peninsula Waves vs Casey Demons
