THE Victorian Netball League (VNL) continues to heat up entering into Round 4 as the unbeaten run of Melbourne University and Casey Demons is set to come to an end as they face off while the battle between Geelong and North East Blaze will set tongues wagging.

Melbourne University vs. Casey Demons

It is set to be a thriller between the two unbeaten sides in Melbourne University and Casey Demons as they go head to head tonight. Both teams have been in scintillating form and have proven that they know how to win even when under immense pressure. With class across the court the Lightning and Demons will have to be on their a-game if they are to exploit one another.

Emma Ryde has been a lynchpin for the Demons with her strong holds, accuracy to post and high volume of shots allowing Casey to score with ease. Her ability to put up competitive totals and receive support from Sacha McDonald is crucial to Casey’s dominance with the pair reading the play well to create a wealth of space inside the goal circle. But the Lightning have a couple of defensive options, none bigger than Fiona Themann who is coming off a cameo appearance with Collingwood Magpies in the Suncorp Super Netball. Themann is not alone down back with Gabby Coffey and Ramayar Gourley also able to ply their trade down back. The midcourt battle will bring plenty of excitement as the Lightning have Shae Brown, Jordan Cransberg and Kelsie Rainbow at their disposal while the Demons have

Boroondara Express vs. Southern Saints

Both Boroondara and the Saints are searching for their first win of the 2021 season making for an enthralling battle. They have gotten close in the opening couple of rounds but have simply run out of legs so will be eager to put out a full four quarter performance this time around.

It has been a difficult start to the 2021 season but with that being said Sinead Lumsden has been a shining light for Boroondara with the goaler incredibly accurate a key target under the post. Boroondara’s defence in Tegan Stephenson and Michelle Massarany will have to put a wealth of work into her if they are to limit her influence at the post and force the likes of Ella Quinlan and Samantha Silvester to carry the attack. Defensively Stephanie McNay and Kirsty Clark will be hoping to use their three-foot marking and steal back some ball to give the Saints a chance to capitalise. Melbourne Vixens training partner Uneeq Palavi is a real livewire under the post with her silky movement and high volume to post. Her combination with Isabelle Hodgson is steadily growing with the ball movement from Taylah Brown and Zali Anderson imperative in opening up the attacking third.

Geelong Cougars vs. North East Blaze

The Cougars are steadily building with their silky ball movement, trust and silky connections across the court a couple of key characteristics in the way in which they play. North East Blaze suffered their first loss last week and will be seeking vengeance to get back on the winners list and keep themselves within touching distance of the top four, slipping to fifth. A win here for the Cougars puts them in good stead as they could leapfrog up the ladder.

Collingwood training partner, Nyah Allen is a key cog for North East Blaze with her versatility to swing between goal attack and goal shooter within a blink of an eye incredibly important to her side. If she can be shut down early by the likes of Brooke Allan or Tori Honner it will force the likes of Georgia Moody and potentially Abigail Gedge to shoulder the load. The Blaze have speed to burn through the midcourt with Ella Bayliss the main playmaker credit to her quick hands, impressive vision and experience to settle the troops while Kali Dolphin is also influential. But they will not have things all their own way as the Cougars boast an impressive midcourt group of their own with Vanessa Augustini able to run all day, Emily Post able to deliver pinpoint passes into the circle and Kaitlyn Sheringham a real workhorse. Not to mention the recent acquisition of former Australian Diamond Madi Browne meaning the side is nicely poised to attack the contest. Ruby Turner and Georgia Bowkett will have their work cut out for them against a highly versatile shooting trio of Zanna Woods, Julia Woolley and Bridgette Furphy who have all proven to be menaces from long range and their shooter to shooter interplay.

City West Falcons vs. Hawks Netball

In a battle of the birds, City West Falcons and Hawks Netball are set to do battle tonight. They sit fourth and sixth respectively on the ladder making for an intriguing contest as only two points separates them given the Falcons have a draw next to their name and the Hawks have a loss.

Both the Falcons and Hawks play a similar style given their dominant goal shooters with Jane Cook down one end of the court and Nat Billings down the other. Cook is a commanding presence and makes herself at home under the post meaning Clare Johnson and Chloe Sinclair will have to try and push her out of her comfort zone if the Hawks are to topple the Falcons. Maggie Lind is a real livewire through the midcourt for the Falcons with her quick give and go while defensively Zoe Davies is a ball magnet able to pick of passes willy-nilly. Youngster Melissa Oloamanu is the other to keep an eye on with her explosiveness and aerial capacity a real threat to contest the high ball into Billings. Jasmine Ferguson can run all day credit to her high level of endurance and will have to be on her game for the Hawks while Alex Salter and Enya Broadley are other formidable options through the centre third.

Peninsula Waves vs. Ariels

Peninsula Waves are yet to register a win in season 2021 and will have their work cut out for them against the Ariels who are coming off a hard-fought win. With confidence behind them and that winning feeling fresh in their memories expect the Ariels to push the Waves to their limits. The Waves have been comprehensively beaten in all three of their outings so far and will be eager to put out a more consistent game to give themselves a chance here.

The growing combination of Olivia Morris and Rahni Samason will be one to keep an eye on throughout the clash as the two Ariels shooters are able to rotate through the circle well to keep defenders guessing. Samason has proven to be influential under the post and can put up large totals which will help push the Ariels in the right direction while through the midcourt the work of Monique Tarrant and Maddison Wallmeyer will be crucial. Clare Vearing has been a mainstay for the Waves under the post with her composed nature enabling her to dictate the flow alongside the likes of Olivia Wilkinson. Gabby Dwyer and Stacie Gardiner are real workhorses through the midcourt credit to their read of the play and strong drives while defensively Tara Cecil and Shannon Rennison are capable of winning back their fair share of ball. If they are able to combine to shut down the space and clump the Ariels’ goalers together it would go a long way in getting them over the line for their first win.

Photo credit: Grant Treeby