AFTER a year-long hiatus the Victorian Netball League (VNL) returned last night and did not disappoint with a number of close shaves and stellar performances dictating the Championship Division. The reigning premiers, Geelong Cougars fought out a draw with City West Falcons as the Hawks just toppled the Southern Saints. However the final game of the round is yet to happen with Casey Demons and Peninsula Waves set to lock horns on Saturday evening at Casey Stadium.

Each week we will do a VNL game of the round, looking more at depth at the game that unfolded and the players that impacted the course of the outcome while also mentioning results from the remainder of the games.

Geelong Cougars (55) drew with City West Falcons (55)

It was a heart in your mouth finish to the game with Jane Cook landing the final blow with a shot on the buzzer to secure a hard fought draw for her side. Holding the ascendancy for majority of the game the reigning premiers, Geelong Cougars seemed to have the ball on a string with their transitional play down court catching the Falcons off guard. But in the end it was the grit and determination of City West in the final stanza that really changed the course of the game with the likes of Sarah Szczykulski putting in the hard yards down back to nullify the influence of Julia Woolley and Zanna Woods under the post for Geelong.

The first quarter favoured the Geelong Cougars as Woolley and Woods owned the goal circle with their silky ball movement while down back the work of Brooke Allan did not go unnoticed, contesting every ball that came her way. Pushing out to a seven goal lead in the opening term, City West Falcons worked in overdrive in the second to eat into the margin and provide an opportunity to get back into the contest. Emily Post found a wealth of space around circle edge for Geelong Cougars while Kaitlyn Sheringham was also influential through the centre. The half time break paid dividends for the Falcons as they came out firing in the third with their defence kicking it up a notch and the speed of play also increasing.

Vanessa Augustini was doing her part in attack for the Cougars before being forced to the sidelines after an awkward landing on her arm. However, the momentum well and truly started to swing the way of City West as Cook got busy under the post while up the other end the influence of Melissa Olomanu started to come into play with the tenacious defender winning back a wealth of ball and putting doubt into the feeders minds. The final quarter continued on this trajectory with the Falcons niggling away and fighting hard for everything that came their way. Their constant hunt allowed them to mount pressure and force uncharacteristic errors with the best bit of play coming in the final five seconds with a long bomb into Cook sealing the deal.

Boroondara Express (48) defeated by North East Blaze (55)

North East Blaze quickly established the lead, skipping out to a three-goal buffer at the first change before Express answered the call in the second with a 15 goal to 11 term. Their ability to score freely enabled them to get back within the contest as the Blaze were caught somewhat off guard. Both sides traded blows throughout the third quarter of play, with neither able to gain any form of separation heading into the final quarter level pegging at 40 goals apiece. But with an opportunity to claim their first win of the season, the Blaze quite literally put on the after burners piling on 15 goals and keeping Boroondara to eight to run out seven goal victors.

Southern Saints (45) defeated by Hawks Netball (46)

Speaking of close games, only one goal separated the Southern Saints and Hawks Netball, with the latter securing the all elusive win. It was a hard-fought contest between the two sides with neither willing to give an inch and working in overdrive to claim the first points of the season. Shooting accuracy did not seem to be a problem for either side in the first and last quarter however the Hawks’ did dip in the third term dropping to as low as 67 per cent. This falter provided the Saints with extra opportunities to hit the scoreboard nailing 11 goals to 10 however it did not seem to stop the momentum that was well and truly with the Hawks. But the Saints were not about to roll over pulling out all the stops in the final 15 minutes of play to outscore their opponents and get agonisingly close to causing an upset.

Ariels (44) defeated by Melbourne University Lightning (57)

It was all one way traffic in this clash as Melbourne University Lightning burst out of the gates and did not look like slowing down against the Ariels. The Lightning steadily built on their lead and really impressed in the third quarter to put the clamps on in defence limiting their opposition to a mere eight goals while adding a whopping 18 to their total. This demolition allowed Melbourne Uni to create a handy 14-goal buffer at the final change and all but seal the deal. An inspired final quarter burst from the Ariels saw them shoot 14 goals to seven but it was too little, too late as the damage had already been done.