A NEW season of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) kicks off tomorrow, with the 10 teams back at square one and vying for the 2022 title. We take a quick look over the sides heading into the season, in what promises to be the first year since 2019 when a full season was completed. In 2020 the competition was cancelled in its entirety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst 2021 saw the season begin, but eventually abandoned after 11 rounds. Our Round 1 VNL preview will come tomorrow.
In 2019, the Geelong Cougars defeated the Casey Demons by 14 goals in the decider to go one better than the 2018 season when they went down to City West Falcons by eight goals. It was the first Cougars title in the Championships grade. City West Falcons have won three titles since 2012, with Boroondara Express, Melbourne University Lightning, North East Blaze and Southern Saints.
VNL FIXTURE: ROUNDS 1-5
The VNL has five complete rounds until the first bye of the season, and here is how the rounds shape up for the first month.
ROUND 1: March 16
Boroondara Express vs. Melbourne University Lightning
Peninsula Waves vs. Casey Demons
City West Falcons vs. North East Blaze
Hawks Netball vs. Geelong Cougars
Southern Saints vs. Ariels
ROUND 2: March 23
Melbourne University Lightning vs. Hawks Netball
Ariels vs. Casey Demons
Southern Saints vs. Peninsula Waves
North East Blaze vs. Boroondora Express
Geelong Cougars vs. City West Falcons (March 27)
ROUND 3: March 30
Ariels vs. Peninsula Waves
Geelong Cougars vs. North East Blaze
Boroondara Express vs. Hawks Netball
City West Falcons vs. Casey Demons
Melbourne University Lightning vs. Southern Saints
ROUND 4: April 6
Casey Demons vs. Southern Saints
North East Blaze vs. Ariels
Hawks Netball vs. City West Falcons
Peninsula Waves vs. Melbourne University Lightning
Boroondara Express vs. Geelong Cougars
ROUND 5: April 13
Peninsula Waves vs. City West Falcons
Casey Demons vs. North East Blaze
Southern Saints vs. Hawks Netball
Ariels vs. Boroondara Express
Melbourne University Lightning vs. Geelong Cougars
KEY PLAYERS:
- Kaylia Stanton (Hawks Netball)
- Jordan Cransberg (Melbourne University)
- Emily Andrew (Southern Saints)
- Ruby Barkmeyer (Boroondara Express)
- Sharni Lambden (Casey Demons)
- Melissa Bragg (Geelong Cougars)
- Kaitlyn Black (North East Blaze)
There are plenty of talent either returning to, or joining the VNL for the 2022 season. The biggest name coming in is ex-Melbourne Vixen and West Coast Fever shooter Kaylia Stanton. She will line up in the brown and gold for Hawks Netball this year, with other training partners such as Jordan Cransberg, Ruby Barkmeyer and Sharni Lambden also returning to the state league, and Melissa Bragg looking to have a big year with Geelong Cougars.
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