CASEY maintained its undefeated record in Round 3 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL), while Melbourne University Lightning also notched up their third straight win. It was a mixed bag of results with the round dictated by a number of blowouts and close encounters testament to the high quality netball on display.

Geelong Cougars (71) defeated Peninsula Waves (39)

The clash between the Cougars and Peninsula was a one-sided affair from the opening stanza, as Geelong produced a 32-goal win. Bursting out of the gates in the first quarter, Geelong controlled proceedings with the Cougars’ composure and dynamic movement well and truly coming to the fore. They built on this momentum in the second term as they added 18 goals to their tally while limiting the Waves to a mere seven. Although accuracy did not prove to be an issue the lack of opportunity cost them, as they could not register enough chances to attack and reduce the margin.

The half-time break somewhat worked in the favour of the Waves as they got out of single digits, scoring 13 goals but the Geelong juggernaut continued their merry way with 19 goals of their own. Despite personnel changes across the court, the Cougars did not lose their mojo instead making good on their new connections and exploiting their opponents every move. The final term continued much of the same with fatigue well and truly setting in for Peninsula as they allowed Geelong to pile on 20 goals while they only managed nine.

When looking at key contributors, it is hard to go past the services of Brooke Allan down in goal keeper, with the talented defender running amuck with her long arms and body positioning enabling her to win her fair share of ball. Allan contested each and every pass against the Waves shooter in Clare Vearing forcing the midcourters in Stacie Gardiner to work in overdrive on the feed. Olivia Wilkinson worked tirelessly for Peninsula but was well covered by Tori Honner and Ruby Pekin-Schlicht as the Cougars defenders ate up everything that came their way and refused to give an inch.

Moving through the court and the work from Vanessa Augustini, Kaitlyn Sheringham and Emily Post was crucial in Geelong’s win. The trio all rotated through that centre or wing attack position and used their timing, clever drives and pinpoint precision passing to bypass the defenders and deliver into the circle. their ability to balance the circle and take advantage of the classic triangle play kept the defenders head on a swivel. Up against some a-grade talent youngster Sussu Liai was a standout for the Waves with her aerial presence and tenacity enabling her to get hands to ball time and time again around circle edge.

Inside the circle for Geelong is where the magic happened with the moving circle of Julia Woolley, Zanna Woods and Bridgette Furphy all combining seamlessly. Woolley showcased her class and nous to swing between goal shooter and goal attack with great ease with her accuracy hardly faltering while the injection of Woods in the second half provided a real spark to the side. Their partnership caused nothing but headaches for the Waves defenders in Tara Cecil, Shannon Rennison and Lauren Hucker who despite putting in the hard yards were unable to quell the speed and shooting prowess of Geelong.

Southern Saints (55) defeated by Ariels (57)

It was a tantalising finish to the game as only two goals separated the Saints and Ariels at full time with the latter sneaking home with their first win of the season. The Ariels dug deep in this clash to grind out the match and take advantage of their opportunities to forge ahead in the final term. Ariels retained the lead from the opening quarter where they established a six goal lead and while the Saints steadily ate into that buffer were unable to reverse the scoreline and steal the win.

City West Falcons (77) defeated Boroondara Express (55)

The Falcons put out a convincing performance against Boroondara Express romping home a 22-goal win despite somewhat of a shaky start. Shooting at 100 per cent accuracy in the first term, City West held a narrow one-goal lead and although they narrowly extended that lead in the second stanza, Express did not make it easy, riding every pass in hope of creating a turnover. But unfortunately for Boroondara, they could not maintain that high level of intensity for a full four quarters as the Falcons started to really get going in the third piling on 23 goals to eight. With the buffer starting to grow thanks to the likes of Jane Cook in the circle for City West it looked as if it was game over for Boroondara heading into the final term. But Express showed some fight to eat into the deficit by a goal but the class and connections of the Falcons was simply too strong.

Hawks Netball (52) defeated by Casey Demons (56)

It just keeps getting better for the Demons as they held onto their undefeated mantle with a hard-fought four goal win over Hawks Netball. The Hawks showed glimpses of magic especially in the final term to give the Demons a fright but in the end Casey stood tall, with their strong structures and set game plays coming to the fore. Both sides suffered from a bit of inaccuracy in the opening stages of the game as they adapted to the physicality and high intensity of the game but it was Casey that settled first and did not relent throughout the match as Emma Ryde and Sacha McDonald led the way. Winning the first two quarters of the game to establish a handy lead, the Hawks bit back after half-time to generate more scoring momentum to get within striking distance thanks to the likes of Nat Billings under the post and Jasmine Ferguson through the midcourt.

North East Blaze (43) defeated by Melbourne University Lightning (56)

The final game of the round saw Melbourne University claim victory over North East Blaze in a battle of the two undefeated sides. It was an intense match-up as both sides fought tooth and nail for every possession with their attacking forays also important. With the likes of Nyah Allen at Blaze’s disposal and Shae Brown down the other end for the Lightning, there was no shortage of a-class talent but in the end it was the Lightning that were able to capitalise on their chances and secure the win having held the lead from the opening quarter. They steadily built on that buffer throughout the course of the game with the party tricks really coming out in the final term as Melbourne University added 17 goals to their total.