ROUND 3 of the Victorian Netball League rolls around once again as action gets underway at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night. Melbourne University Lightning sit pretty in first place with both the Casey Demons and North East Blaze hot on their tails in second and third respectively with two wins apiece.

Southern Saints vs. Ariels

It will be a battle for their first win as the Southern Saints and Ariels face-off in what is expected to be a high intensity contest. Neither side has had the start to the season they would have hoped for but a win here could change the course in which their season is going and allow them to jump off the bottom of the ladder.

Ella Quinlan is the main port of call under the post with her accuracy and movement imperative to the Saints’ attacking unit. Both Sinead Lumsden and Samantha Silvester have proven to be viable options given their accuracy but lack that volume to be able to worry opposition teams. Down in defence the combination of Stephanie McNay and Kirsty Clark is steadily developing and will have to be on song if they are to stop the likes of Rahni Samason and Olivia Morris. The Ariels do have other options though with Stacey Gannon also able to come on and slot some much needed goals. Defensively look to the likes of Jessica Maher and Monique Clark to win ball back.

Geelong Cougars vs. Peninsula Waves

Geelong notched up their first win of the season last round and will be eager to maintain that winning edge heading into Round 3. Coming up against the winless Waves, the Cougars will be hoping to build on their form and improve their standings on the ladder.

The shooting combination between Zanna Woods and Julia Woolley is one to behold with the two able to rotate through with great ease and most importantly convert at a high accuracy. Through the midcourt the combination of Vanessa Augustini, Kaitlyn Sheringham and Emily Post is another concern for the Waves as they will have to shut down their speed and slick ball movement. But the real trump card comes in the form of Madi Browne with the former Australian Diamond signing on and chomping at the bit to get back out on the netball court. Another concern for the Waves is their attacking unit given the Cougars boast the likes of Brooke Allan and Victoria Honner. Allan is not only a ball winner but so too a game winner meaning the Peninsula shooters in Clare Vearing and Eliza McGuigan will have to adapt their game accordingly. The midcourt combination of Jess Hosking and Gabrielle Dwyer will be put through their paces against top class opposition.

City West Falcons vs. Boroondara Express

City West Falcons are set to lock horns with Boroondara Express tonight with the latter looking for their first win of the season. The Falcons on the other hand will be hoping to pounce on their second win and capitalise on their chances with their slick transition and strong connections a focal point each time they take the court.

Uneeq Palavi has been a key contributor for Express throughout the season so far with her understanding inside the circle and strong movement enabling her to control proceedings. Teammate Isabelle Hodgson is the other one that has been able to keep the scoreboard ticking over and doing so at a relatively high accuracy. Tegan Stephenson has been a strong force in defence alongside Michelle Massarany with the two putting in the hard yards to win ball back for their side. But they will have to be on-song against the Falcons who have a formidable shooting combination headlined by Jane Cook. Maggie Lind is a real livewire through the midcourt able to feed the ball into Cook while both Sarah Szczykulski and Zoe Davies can change the course of a game in a heartbeat with their defensive tenacity.

Hawks Netball vs. Casey Demons

Sitting on a two-game winning streak, Casey Demons will be hoping to make it three straight and confirm their spot on top of the ladder. The Hawks have had an up and down start to the season so far winning one game and dropping the other meaning they are looking for consistency. However they will have their work cut out for them against Casey who are playing impressive netball given their confidence to weave the ball down the court and impose themselves in defence.

There is no denying the influence star goal shooter Nat Billings has under the post for the Hawks and she will have to be at her damaging best if her side is to topple the undefeated Demons. Billings will need support from the likes of Tayla Shannon inside the circle but so too the likes of Alex Salter and Jasmine Ferguson through the midcourt to ensure she gets clean ball under the post. Chloe Sinclair and Clare Johnson have proven to be ball magnets in defence and will have to shut down Casey’s scoring machine in Emma Ryde if they are to win. Ryde on the other hand is a commanding force and with the likes of Sacha McDonald alongside her could spell trouble. The midcourt is also stacked with Tayla Honey and Sharni Lambden both able to effectively ply their trade and deliver the ball on a silver platter into the circle.

North East Blaze vs. Melbourne University Lightning

This is arguably going to be the match of the round as both the Blaze and Lightning go head to head in a battle of the two unbeaten sides. Blaze have proven that they can withstand the pressure to prevail in tight encounters while the Lightning are yet to be really tested having won both of their games in convincing fashion.

The Lightning are littered with stars across the court with Jordan Cransberg and Kelsie Rainbow through the midcourt. The pair are highly dynamic and can read the play with great ease to slot into the right spot at the right time. It would be remiss to go past the likes of Shae Brown with the former SSN player able to effectively rotate through the midcourt and in goals. North East Blaze have a star studded midcourt of their own with Meg Williams, Kali Dolphin and Ella Bayliss all able to dictate the terms in the centre third. Defensively the Lightning are also spoilt for choice with Fiona Fowler and Gabby Coffey able to hold down the fort and win ball back while Maggie Caris is another livewire down back for Melbourne University. But the defensive unit will have their hands full with Collingwood training partner Nyah Allen. The young goaler is a smooth mover with impressive range inside the circle and if given enough time and space could run amuck. Her ever developing partnership with Abigail Gedge and Georgia Moody will be one to watch throughout the game as they look to use their space to exploit their opposition.

Photo credit: Netball Victoria