THE Victorian Netball League (VNL) enters Round 5 this week, as all five Championship division matches play out on Wednesday night. Boasting a top four clash between City West Falcons and North East Blaze, as well as a top versus bottom clash between Melbourne University Lightning and Peninsula, expect another huge night of VNL action.

City West Falcons vs. North East Blaze

Expect this clash to be one of the matches of the round, as the Falcons and Blaze shape up for a top four battle. Sitting on three wins apiece with Falcons purely ahead due to their Round 1 draw with Geelong, there is no doubt this match will showcase some excellent skill and what is expected to be another fight to the finish.

What makes the Falcons so dangerous is their explosiveness, firing on all cylinders from the get-go and able to create a solid margin early on. But on the other side of the coin, the side has at times struggled to maintain that intensity throughout, which the Blaze will want to capitalise upon. Both teams boast some influential names with the versatile and speedy Maggie Lind running through the midcourt for the Falcons and fellow Collingwood Magpies training partner Nyah Allen a real lynchpin out the front for the Blaze. Allen piled on a whopping 37 goals last round following a shaky performance in Round 3, although she will be challenged by an in-form Melissa Oloamanu and Zoe Davies. But the Falcons have a huge target of their own in Jane Cook, with the tall timber able to hold ground well and continuously pile on the offensive pressure. She will be pressured by Tay Coppinger and Georgia Bowkett though, with the two highly experienced defenders hoping to push all Cook’s buttons and render her inaccurate to post.

Melbourne University Lightning vs. Peninsula

It will be a battle of the ladder leaders and the cellar dwellers when the Lightning and Peninsula take the court, with the undefeated Lightning expected to take this one out fairly convincingly. They boast a dream percentage in comparison to the winless Waves, with a powerful attack and tough defence meshing well to create a hugely difficult team to overcome.

Inaccuracy has proved to be an issue for Peninsula, with the side having a tough time converting against high-calibre defence. Whilst Clare Vearing is making the most of the opportunities she has at the post, she will have a really tough time against the versatile Lightning defensive unit, with any number of Fiona Fowler, Maggie Caris or Gabby Coffey able to swing into defence to shut her down. There is no doubt the Waves can win ball back with livewire Sussu Liai able to send tongues wagging with her aerial ability, however whether they can convert turnovers into goals will be the real question with the likes of Shae Brown, Kelsie Rainbow and Jordan Cransberg all able to turn over the ball with ease. Lightning goalers Mikaela Vaughan and Claudia Mawson were tested last week but will look to come out flying against their low-ranked opponents, while Waves will hope they retain the services of Jess Hosking after the dual-athlete returned last week through the midcourt.

Casey Demons vs. Ariels

Expect an interesting one between Casey and Ariels, with Casey dealt its first loss last round – a close one to Melbourne Uni – and the Ariels coming in off the back of fresh confidence with two straight wins in the bank following a shaky start to the season. Expect Casey to come out of this matchup with the win, however the Ariels will certainly look to test the Demons and beat them through the midcourt.

With sharpshooter Emma Ryde boasting silver service from Sacha McDonald and Tayla Honey up one end, and a solid defensive unit at the other end, there is no doubt the Demons have plenty of match-winning ability and will be supremely difficult to stop once they get on a roll. Conversely, the Ariels have an accurate target of their own in Rahni Samason but potentially lack the support around her to get the job done here, with Olivia Morris a viable option in goal attack but a tough ask to carry the load if Samason is double-teamed by the likes of Demi Woodlock, Georgia Vines and Karli Foster. This will be the Ariels’ first real test since the opening rounds when they were floored by Melbourne Uni and and Geelong Cougars so will need to really step up to the task if they are any chance of testing the Demons. This match will be broadcast live on the Netball Victoria Facebook page from 8:15pm.

Southern Saints vs. Geelong Cougars

Geelong are sure to come out hunting in this one following a frustrating loss last round which bumped them to fifth on the ladder. The Southern Saints may sit in ninth with just two less wins, but those two less wins mean the side is still yet to win a match for the season following a shaky start. They will need to throw everything they have at a calm and composed Cougars side to limit their full court impact.

The big entrant to last week’s Cougars side was the likes of Maddy Browne, taking the court in the VNL for the first time this season after spending a couple of weeks on the bench. The ex-Australian Diamond shone with her slick movement and clean hands, although immense pressure from the Blaze defence rendered the usually accurate goalers in Julia Woolley, Zanna Woods and Bridgette Furphy to a lowly combined 76 per cent accuracy. There is no doubt the Saints will have their work cut out for them to limit those tried and true connections, utilising a combination of Elly Randall, Stephanie McNay and Lyshae Barry to create critical turnover ball. Sinead Lumsden and Ella Quinlan have been accurate to post throughout the season so will look to continue that trend, although expect Brooke Allen, Georgette Paatsch and Ruby Pekin-Schlicht to do everything in their power to propel the ball back down the court.

Boroondara Express vs. Hawks

The last match will play out between Boroondara Express and Hawks, with the two sides both chomping at the bit for a second win and sitting in seventh and eighth respectively. While Hawks flew out of the gates for a one-goal win during the opening round, they have suffered three losses since then with two coming against current top four sides. Express’ season has taken a completely different take, with the side only getting its first win on the board last round, but going down to similar top four sides by much bigger margins, which paints a good picture for the Hawks.

For Hawks, Nat Billings has shown some solid form in the circle using her strength to hold ground well and present a solid option anywhere around the ring. Her Express counterpart in Uneeq Palavi is just as capable though, and with both putting up competitive scorelines at a fairly high accuracy each week, it is safe to say they are the respective lynchpins in attack. Defensively, Boroondara’s back unit has been fairly consistent with Casey Adamson making life hard on circle edge, with a combination of Michelle Massarany, Sophie Shoebridge and Tegan Stephenson holding ground in the circle. Clare Johnson will have her work cut out for her against Palavi with her slick movement and ability to adjust her game style, while Chloe Sinclair will work to drive the ball up the court and limit any easy passes into Palavi’s goal attacks who could help ease the pressure.

Picture credit: Netball Victoria