KEY MOMENTS
The VNL turned rainbow in support of the LGBTQ+ community during the first night of its annual Pride Round.
Netball Victoria and the VNL held the league-wide event to promote inclusion and celebrate diversity.
Over the three days of Round 9, teams will be wearing RACV pride bibs and socks as players used their platform to show unity.
An affirmation wall at the State Netball Centre allowed attendees to share messages of pride. For those wishing to share their own messages of support, a digital wall has been created.
Championship
- North East Blaze held off a gallant Geelong Cougars in a defensive struggle. It wasn’t until a missed goal from Cougars that Blaze pounced on to score three goals in a row to get over the line. Daisy O’Kane was a focal point for the Cougars, shooting 22 goals (78%), but not without Blaze shutting down her combination with Emma Buwalda. The injection of Sam Silvester for Blaze changed the game with a solid target at the post, shooting 24 goals at 96% despite the efforts of Brooke Allan who had her hands over everything.
- Peninsula Waves have broken through, claiming a six-goal win over the Melbourne University Lightning who put out a decent fight. Lauren Hucker was crucial in the dying moments for the Waves, as the defender pulled in several rebounds for the Waves to convert at the post. A 21-goal second quarter for the Lightning wasn’t enough for the determined Peninsula outfit, who had several three-goal runs to regain the lead and eventually win the game.
- Big names were missing for the Bendigo Strikers, so it was the chance for Hawks Netball to take advantage, which they did to take the game by 20 goals. Strikers remained within distance of the Hawks until the third quarter when Hawks put their foot down to win the quarter 22 – 8. Bendigo’s Violet Wetsteyn was serviceable on debut, but the smarts of Jess Tetley (23 goals, 95%) and Ashlea Mawer (38 goals, 95%) were too much to combat.
23&Under
- The battle between the Casey Demons and Western Warriors went down to the wire, with the Warriors able to hold off a valiant Demons and secure their second win of the season. After being down by 11 goals in the second quarter, the Warriors found another gear to score ten unanswered goals to take the lead in the third quarter. Sadie Cheesman’s hunger for the ball in crucial moments paid off for the Warriors. Ella Closter had another great game for the victors shooting 30 goals at 96% while Ruby Dwyer was clinical in the Demons midcourt.
- Boroondara Express staged a massive comeback over the Gippsland Stars, who made a hot start scoring the first five goals and eventually led by nine. Abby Hocking came alive in defence for Express, helping her side take the lead in the third quarter. Express went on to produce a memorable second half to take the win by 18 goals. Charlize Traumanis was strong for the Stars shooting 30 goals at 96% and Ella Harvey put out an attacking display in the midcourt for Express.
- The City West Falcons just got over the line by three goals in a tight contest with the Southern Saints. Camille Brownjohn’s range caused headaches in the Falcons attack end to give the Saints an early 5-0 lead. The Falcons quickly responded to level the score and it was goal-for-goal from there. Amelia Holland’s change of direction and closing speed was difficult for the Saints to stop as the wing attack landed on circle edge with ease. Once Achel Yout put doubt into the Saints feeders’ minds, the ball started to fall the Falcons way.
- There was clearly no separating the Bendigo Strikers and Hawks Netball. A missed goal with one second to go solidified a 56-all draw to end a fantastic battle between the top four sides. Bendigo’s Shae Clifford was outstanding and the engine room that kept her side within striking distance of the Hawks. Their injection of Teagan Bethune into wing defence was a game changer, causing headaches for the Strikers attackers. Both shooters in Jorja Clode (40 goals, 93%) and Dakota Blade (35 goals, 97%) were strong and accurate at the post.
RESULTS
Championship
Peninsula Waves (58) vs (52) Melbourne University Lightning
Geelong Cougars (43) vs (47) North East Blaze
Boroondara Express (72) vs (29) Gippsland Stars
Casey Demons (77) vs (68) Western Warriors
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (46) vs (78) City West Falcons
Bendigo Strikers (44) vs (66) Hawks Netball
23&Under
Peninsula Waves (44) vs (48) Melbourne University Lightning
Geelong Cougars (41) vs (47) North East Blaze
Boroondara Express (61) vs (43) Gippsland Stars
Casey Demons (58) vs (60) Western Warriors
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (61) vs (64) City West Falcons
Bendigo Strikers (56) vs (56) Hawks Netball
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Championship
- 548 – Jane Cook (Falcons)
- 428 – Emma Ryde (Demons)
- 382 – Ashlea Mawer (Hawks)
23&Under
- 412 – Olivia Cawthray (Blaze)
- 280 – Charlize Gabel Joseph (Waves)
- 273 - Hayley Howard (Saints)
NEXT UP – ROUND 10
Wednesday 21 May
Bendigo Strikers vs Casey Demons
City West Falcons vs Melbourne University Lightning
Geelong Cougars vs Peninsula Waves
Gippsland Stars vs Hawks Netball
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Western Warriors
North East Blaze vs Boroondara Express
