ROUND 8 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) is set to be an absolute cracker with a couple of battles between the two top teams headlining the round.

Ariels vs. Hawks Netball

Sitting on two wins apiece the Ariels and Hawks will be eager to impose themselves quickly and gain some early momentum. The seventh versus eighth contest is sure to be one filled with plenty of twists and turns as they both look to climb the ladder and hope to keep in touch with the top four.

Boasting dominant shooter, Nat Billings the Hawks will be hoping to exploit her height and clever footwork to deliver countless crafty passes into her. She is not the only threat to post with Daisy Hill and Tayla Shannon both able to ply their trade effectively. Through the middle Jasmine Ferguson is one of the most consistent figures with her two-way running and quick hands enabling her to open up the court in the blink of an eye. It will be interesting to see how the Ariels continue to bode without Rahni Samason at the helm leaving the likes of Stacey Gannon and Olivia Morris to do the heavy lifting in attack. Meanwhile in defence the Ariels are relatively flexible with Jessica Maher, Brodie Smith and Alice Paget all able to swing through the backend of the court and have an influence.

City West Falcons vs. Melbourne University Lightning

The contest between the Falcons and Lightning is set to be an enthralling one with the latter side yet to drop a game this season and looking to keep that undefeated record intact. The Falcons are also humming along nicely currently holding second spot on the ladder with no losses to their name but a draw to keep them a step off the pace. With both sides in fine form expect a high intensity battle from start to finish.

The shooting combination of Mikaela Vaughan and Claudia Mawson has developed at a rate of knots this season and will be one the Falcons keep a close eye on in this match-up. The two balance the circle really well with the likes of Jordan Cransberg, Zoe Cransberg, Shae Brown and Kelsie Rainbow real spearheads in that attacking third. Brown is a real menace often using her closing speed and endurance to shut down options and win ball back. Defensively the Lightning are also stacked with talent as both Fiona Fowler and Gabby Coffey have proven to be serious ball-winners and able to mount pressure with their constant niggle and three-foot guard. But Jane Cook is a cool, calm and collected customer that is able to hold her own under the post making her a real threat for the Lightning. If she is able to receive silver service from the likes of Montana Holmes and Maggie Lind it will go a long way in setting her side up for the win. Defensively the Falcons are a well-oiled machine with Zoe Davies and Sarah Szczykulski possessing plenty of smarts on when to double down on the shooter or go out hunting.

North East Blaze vs. Casey Demons

The top four battles do not stop there with the Blaze and Demons locking horns in hope to create some ladder separation. The Demons are just ahead on the ladder thanks to a better percentage but North East Blaze are hot on their heels and have the capability to really turn on the afterburners in attack to steal the show.

There is no denying that the shooting ends for both these teams are stacked with A-grade talent. The Demons are headlined by Emma Ryde and Sacha McDonald in the circle with the two able to flick the ball around with great ease and use their spatial awareness to full effect. Ryde is unstoppable when given enough time and space under the post and with Tayla Honey out the front feeding in the combination is one of the best in the business. But the Blaze are not without a couple of aces of their own in Collingwood training partner, Nyah Allen. The goaler is highly versatile and will need to be at her best up against Georgia Vines and Demi Woodlock to create some real attacking momentum for her side. Allen alongside Georgia Moody are incredibly accurate and will be hoping to weave their magic up against Casey. Sharni Lambden is another livewire for the Demons able to play through the midcourt or in circle defence such is her smarts and endurance. Tayissa Coppinger and Ruby Turner are head-turners for the Blaze with their pressure and class down in defence enabling them to create a really strong wall.

Southern Saints vs. Peninsula

Despite both sides sitting on the lower end of the spectrum still expect a high quality and intense battle. Neither the Saints or Peninsula have racked up a win this season and this is the prime opportunity for one of the two sides to leave their mark. The Saints showed some glimpses last round with their defensive work paramount while the Waves have also proven to be incredibly crafty with ball in hand.

It has been a difficult season for the Saints but one thing that has remained the same is their accuracy to post. All three goalers combined for a shooting average of 83 per cent with Sinead Lumsden, Ella Quinlan and Sam Silvester all viable options to post making them a three-pronged attack. The Waves have a couple of strong defensive options with Tara Cecil and Sussu Liai able to win ball back for their side and propel it forward with ease. But the Saints will need the midcourt to fire on all cylinders with the likes of Alana McGurgan, Ashleigh Gill and Lorna Clark needing to up the ante against the likes of Kelly Sienna and Gabrielle Dwyer through the midcourt. Lyshae Barry is a strong force in defence with her ability to get hands to ball and shut down the space, something she will be hoping to implement up against the likes of Clare Vearing and Stacie Gardiner.

Boroondara Express vs. Geelong Cougars

This will be another ladder defining match-up as Geelong Cougars look to get their season back on track and inch into the top four while Boroondara will be hoping to close the gap with a win here. Currently sitting fifth and sixth respectively, the two sides will be eager to gain some good momentum after the break as Express look to bounce back from a loss and Geelong hope to continue their winning ways.

Uneeq Palavi will have her work cut out for her up against Brooke Allan with the goal keeper a real menace in the air with her long limbs enabling her to win ball back time and time again. Palavi will need support from the likes of Isabelle Hodgson inside the circle to alleviate the scoring pressure while Zali Anderson and Eleanor Leydin will need to be crafty around circle edge to keep the prying arms away. Defensively Tegan Stephenson and Michelle Massarany will have to be on their a-game against a highly mobile and versatile Geelong shooting combination with Julia Woolley and Zanna Woods able to carve up the court with their silky movement and accuracy to post. The midcourt for the Cougars is littered with stars as Madi Browne, Vanessa Augustini, Emily Post and Ally O’Connor can all play a commanding role through the centre third.

Photo credit: Netball Victoria