ROUND 5 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) was completed on Wednesday night with Melbourne University Lightning once again leaving their mark on the competition, notching up their fifth straight victory to take out top spot, while Casey Demons and Geelong Cougars also got back on the winners list.

City West Falcons (66) defeated North East Blaze (58)

It was an enthralling battle between City West Falcons and North East Blaze with the former getting over the line due to a huge last quarter effort. North East Blaze snuck out to a two goal margin early but that was short lived as the Falcons bit back in the second term piling on a whopping on 17 goals to the Blaze’s nine. Extending out to a six goal lead at the main change, the Blaze pegged their way back into the contest in the third credit to a couple of positional changes to give them hope heading into the final term. But with it all to play for, it was the Falcons that capitalised on their opportunities with their 100 per cent accuracy and volume to post proving to be the major difference in the final term as they came away with the win.

It was a shooting masterclass from Jane Cook, not only commanding the ball but converting at a whopping 96 per cent. Cook was responsible for shooting 62 of her side’s 66 goals with Madelyn Gray not featuring too highly on the goal scoring front, but when tasked with the opportunity did not miss going at 100 per cent. It was hard work for Tayissa Coppinger, Ruby Turner and Georgia Bowkett down in defence for the Blaze as the trio endeavoured to shut down the easy passage to circle and while they impacted passages of play they could not maintain it for a full four quarters. The midcourt combination of Maggie Lind and Montana Holmes was once again at its damaging best to sight Cook inside the ring with relative ease. Zoe Davies and Melissa Oloamanu had their work cut out for them up against Nyah Allen and Georgia Moody who impressed in their ability to rotate through goal shooter and goal attack. Allen led the way with 38 goals from 43 attempts while Moody nailed 20 goals from 22 attempts at 91 per cent in what was a much more shared effort than their counterparts.

Melbourne University Lightning (73) defeated Peninsula (37)

Melbourne University Lightning had control from the opening minute of the game and did not relent throughout in their victory over Peninsula. In fact, it was a completely one-sided affair as the Lightning increased their lead at every change as the Waves failed to combat both the offensive and defensive pressure Melbourne University threw at them. The second half was the most damaging aspect for the Waves as the Lightning scored 43 goals while keeping Peninsula to a mere 16. Despite Peninsula shooting at a slightly higher percentage at 93 per cent compared to the Lightning’s 90, it was their lack of opportunity that cost them, unable to transition the ball into the goal circle given the Lightning’s tight defence.

Mikaela Vaughan has had a ripping start to the VNL season and this game was no different as she sunk 55 goals at 94 per cent. Vaughan was rock solid throughout the game but was at her most accurate in the second sinking 11 goals straight. She partnered well with Claudia Mawson who nailed 18 goals from 23 attempts. The midcourt work from the likes of Jordan Cransberg, Kelsie Rainbow and Shae Brown was unquestionable as they all impressed with their pinpoint passes and spatial awareness. Defensively, Fiona Fowler, Melbourne Vixens training partner Gabby Coffey and Maggie Caris impressed confusing the space, picking off passes and mounting pressure credit to their three-foot marking as they stifled the likes of Clare Vearing under the post for the Waves. Vearing finished with 27 goals to her name while Gabby Dwyer also had an impact with her five goals at 100 per cent but would have liked a few more chances to add to her tally. Jess Hosking was a real workhorse through the centre, credit to her high level of endurance and two way running, while up against Vaughan, Tara Cecil and Lauren Hucker had a tough day at the office, unable to quell her influence but showed plenty of grit and determination.

Casey Demons (73) defeated Ariels (65)

Although Casey Demons got the win on the board it did not look like it was going to unfold that way as the Ariels contested hard for the full four quarters. The Ariels had a real presence about them throughout the game, consistently able to work their way back into the match and rallying to not only level the scoreboard but so too steal the lead, albeit not at any quarter break. Casey established a four goal lead at quarter time, but that lead was cut in half at the main break. It then ballooned back out to four at quarter time and with the game in the balance in the final term, Casey kicked it up a gear to run out eight goal victors, rallying every time the Ariels reduced the scoreline.

It was a battle of the goal shooters as Emma Ryde and Rahni Samason dictated the play for their respective sides. In the end the difference came down to the output of the goal attacks with Sacha McDonald well and truly stepping up to the plate for Casey with Stacey Gannon bobbing up in patches. Ryde finished with 57 goals from 65 attempts as McDonald slotted 16 from 20. For the Ariels, Samason led the charge sinking 48 from 51 at 95 per cent as Gannon chimed in with 13 straight, with most coming from range. The midcourt was littered with stars for the Demons as Tayla Honey and Sharni Lambden combined with the latter also dropping back into that goal defence position alongside Georgia Vines and Karli Foster who starred down back. Honey was crucial swinging between the centre and wing attack roles, combatting the likes of Dionne Douglass and Monique Tarrant from the Ariels. Jayde Aron was a force to be reckoned with inside the circle, not giving an inch to Ryde while Monique Clark also made a nuisance of herself in goal keeper when on court.

Southern Saints (35) defeated by Geelong Cougars (77)

The Cougars made it look easy against the struggling Saints as they ran rampant, securing a 42-goal win. Only one goal separated the two sides at quarter time, but that is where it ended for the Saints as Geelong unleashed a 20-goal haul in the second quarter. Unfortunately, it only got worse for the Saints as they only managed four goals in the third while the Cougars had no problem finding the post to pile on 21 of their own. With the game all but won and done, Geelong refused to take their foot off the pedal as they further increased the lead with a 23-13 final quarter effort. It was a clinical performance from the Cougars who were bouncing back from a disappointing loss last round, while the Saints were simply out of their depth.

The effortless circle rotation from the Cougars was something to behold as Zanna Woods and Julia Woolley proved to have the ball on a string. They shot at a combined 89 per cent with Woolley nailing 38 goals from 42 attempts and Woods sinking 39 from 45 showcasing the balance in the circle. Often on the receiving end of bullet-like passes from Madi Browne, Vanessa Augustini, Kaitlyn Sheringham and Emily Post the shooters had the best of both worlds. Browne has not skipped a beat since pulling on the Geelong dress, complementing her fellow midcourters with her speed and tenacity while down in defence Brooke Allan was at her damaging best. The goal keeper kept both Sinead Lumsden, Samantha Silvester and Ella Quinlan well held as she only conceded 16 goals directly against her. The Saints midcourt struggled to penetrate through Geelong’s dominance, while their defensive unit in Stephanie McNay and Lyshae Barry worked in overdrive.

Boroondara Express (52) defeated Hawks Netball (43)

The final game of the round saw Boroondara clinch victory against Hawks credit to a fast start. Express came out with a real point to prove and that was reflected on the scoreboard as they more than double their opponents’ first quarter total to boast a 13-goal lead. the second quarter was better for the Hawks, as they reached double figures with 12 goals but Boroondara still managed to add to their tally. Scoring dried up for both sides in the third credit to an improved defensive effort but that did not last long as the Hawks petered off in the fourth and final quarter as Boroondara poured on 12 goals to secure another win.

Uneeq Palavi had a hot hand for Express with the goal shooter piling on 44 goals at an impressive 96 per cent. She received support from Stephanie Gorrie credit to her eight goals but was the main source of pain for the Hawks defence in Sally Deller and Chloe Sinclair. Zali Anderson and Taylah Brown were influential through the midcourt for Boroondara while Alex Salter and Emma Allman worked gallantly for the Hawks. Nat Billings was her usual reliable self out in goal shooter for the Hawks, finishing with 34 goals at 41 per cent but needed more output from the likes of Tayla Shannon (six goals) and Hannah Keane (three goals) to get her side over the line. Tegan Stephenson and Michelle Massarany worked in tandem to quell the influence of the aforementioned trio while Sophie Shoebridge was also influential down back.