AFTER a break for Nationals, the Victorian Netball League returns tomorrow night for a bit of a restart to the season.

In a bit of an unusual shake up to the usual fixture, four of this week’s five matches will be taking place tomorrow night, while the final game of the round is scheduled for Sunday.

With a two and a half week break for some teams, that could impact how they go this week. Was the break just what the doctor ordered or not? We will find out in this week’s results.

Speaking of this week’s action, there is a real mixed bag.

In what will perhaps be the most lopsided of the clashes this weekend, the Ariels and Geelong kick off the round. The Ariels are coming off their first win in over a year, but that was against fellow bottom of the ladder side the Waves and the Ariels really struggled against the Cougars last year.

At the other end of the scale, there is another top of the table clash this round with the Falcons and Express clashing. The Express are currently the only undefeated side, but in both clashes between these two sides last year it was the Falcons who recorded pretty comfortable wins.

Match three tomorrow night sees the Southern Saints take on the Hawks. On paper this should be a win to the Saints because they have proven themselves more so far this season, but if the Hawks can pull this one off be a decent enough margin it could really kickstart their season.

The final of tomorrow night’s clashes sees the Lightning and Blaze battle it out.

These two sides could not be having more different seasons. The Blaze have again started strongly while the Lightning have failed to get going yet. Their two matches last year also could not have been more different, so anything really could happen tonight.

The final match of the round is a battle of the winless out in Cranbourne as the Demons host the Waves.

The Dees in particular will be disappointed they currently find themselves in this position, while the Waves will no doubt be feeling like things have continued where they left off after last season.

VNL ROUND 5 FIXTURE

Ariels vs Geelong Cougars – Friday
City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express – Friday
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Hawks Netball – Friday
Melbourne University Lightning vs North East Blaze – Friday
Casey Demons vs Peninsula Waves – Sunday