ROUND 7 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) sees a number of ladder-defining matchups, but also potential one-sided contests. Many of the fixtures have an obvious favourite on paper, but anything can happen.

One clash that will highly unlikely be close is the one between the Waves and Cougars. Although the Cougars had a bit of a wobbly start to the season they have started to hit their stride now and are returning to their Grand Final making form of last season. They face a Waves side who continue to struggle and haven’t really looked like winning this season.

Two of last week’s losers that will be keen to bounce back from big losses last week in the Hawks and Ariels will also be up against each other tonight. Neither side will be happy with how they went last week, but will perhaps both see this contest as a potential win. It is an especially important win opportunity for the Hawks, who probably go into the match as favourites and are stuck in that bunch of middle teams keen to shoot back up the ladder.

A match that was much closer last season that probably will not be as close this time around is the one between Melbourne Uni and City West. Both finalists last season, Melbourne Uni has not quite lived up to that level in 2023 and are kind of treading water at the moment, trying to really kick their season into gear. They face a City West side who despite an early season hiccup are really starting to hit their stride.

Another clash like that is the one between the Express and Demons. Both these sides hovered around the middle of the table for much of last season, but have subsequently gone in opposite directions this season. This should be another win to the Express as they have been way more consistently in form this season than the Dees, who much like the Lightning have not really kicked their season into gear yet.

The final head-to-head of the round is perhaps the most intriguing of the lot, with the Southern Saints set to battle the North East Blaze. It is fourth meets fifth, and half a game is all that separates the two on the ladder. Both have had very solid seasons, so this clash is perhaps going to be a close encounter.

VNL Round 7 Fixture

Peninsula Waves vs Geelong Cougars

Hawks Netball vs Ariels  

Melbourne University Lightning  vs City West Falcons

Boroondara Express vs Casey Demons

Southern Saints vs North East Blaze