ROUND 9 of Victorian Netball League (VNL) action has arrived, with all 10 teams now on an even playing field and plenty of ladder changes expected as the round comes to a close. With three matches playing out at the State Netball Centre in Parkville and two elsewhere, Round 9 of action is set to be a cracker.

Melbourne University Lightning vs. Hawks Netball

Expect a tantalising battle between the Lightning and Hawks this week, with the two sides in an unprecedented position following last round – Uni come in off the back of their first loss for the season, while Hawks are brimming with energy and confidence following their third win last week. While the Lightning should still win this one with relative ease given their form and firepower across the court, the Hawks are capable of really testing them in one way or another and could prove tough to combat.

It was a combined effort from the Hawks front-end last round that saw them claim a huge win, as Nat Billings, Tayla Shannon and Daisy Hill created a three-prong attack-line which kept defence on their toes. It is safe to say they will try to utilise that same structure once more this round against the hugely powerful Uni backline, which boasts Fiona Fowler and Gabby Coffey at the very least, and a smattering of other viable defenders in the mix too. Now that Uni have dropped a game, Hawks will have studied that winning formula with Claudia Mawson one of the key figures through the side in goal attack, assisting the ever-reliable Mikaela Vaughan who appeared to have the yips under pressure last round. Expect Hawks defenders Clare Johnson, Chloe Sinclair and Sally Deller to wreak havoc down back, while Jasmine Ferguson and Shae Brown are sure to create a scintillating battle through the centre.

Boroondara Express vs. Peninsula Waves

The Waves have yet another chance to get a maiden win on the board this round, as they take on the Boroondara Express who have struggled to find success since the return of the competition following the COVID-19 issued break. While the Waves have tested sides in patches, they have lacked consistency and the overall togetherness to win thus far, while Express boast a couple of pinpoint players who work hard every week to turn out formidable performances. If the Waves can showcase their developing defence to shut down Boroondara’s smooth front-line, they could provide a real test.

Uneeq Palavi will be one of the main things in Peninsula’s way of a win this round, with the goal shooter’s holds and strength to reel in the high ball pivotal for Boroondara’s success. That being said, Shannon Rennison and Tara Cecil have been working in overdrive throughout recent weeks to fire up in the Waves backline and continuously provide turnover ball, as Sienna Kelly and Gabby Dwyer work hard at the frontend to find the likes of Stacie Gardiner and Clare Vearing at the post. Conversely, Eleanor Leydin and Casey Adamson will be hard to combat as the Waves midcourters provide a huge defensive buffer, backed up by the ever-reliable Sophie Shoebridge and Michelle Massarany. Zali Anderson and Stephanie Gorrie both play a huge role in working the ball into Palavi, although the lack of offensive support to post from Gorrie, Chevvone Thomson and Isabelle Hodgson could be key for the Waves to steal away control from Express.

Southern Saints vs. City West Falcons

City West are brimming with confidence to say the least this round, yet to drop a game with just a lone draw the blemish in their excellent record this season. Conversely, they take on Southern Saints who have struggled to get winning scores on the board, with just one to their name – last week. Despite that, the Saints have been hunting and stepped up their game since the break, meaning that they could really test the Falcons if they can switch on their midcourt firepower early on. Expect the Falcons to come out on top, although expect Saints to give them a real run for their money.

Defensively, this match will be a hard slog for the likes of Saints’ Stephanie McNay and Lyshae Barry, with the duo sure to have their work cut out for them when they take on the ladder-leading Falcons, led by sharpshooter Jane Cook. Cook’s positioning and height are sure to pay dividends, and while McNay and Barry are no strangers to the aerial or cross-court ball, height-wise there is a significant difference which will surely work in the Falcons’ favour. Expect Montana Holmes and Alana McGurgan to shape up nicely through the centre, while Alesina Toleafoa can also inject a little bit extra to the Saints front-line to work the ball into the ever-reliable and accurate Sinead Lumsden and Ella Quinlan. The two goalers can share the load when required or also take charge, while Sam Silvester is also a viable option in goal attack. Defensively, Soli Ropati is clean as anyone out in wing defence for the Falcons, while Zoe Davies and Sarah Szczykulski are both a force to be reckoned with, as Melissa Oloamanu‘s versatility comes to the fore.

Geelong Cougars vs. Casey Demons 

Expect a close and intriguing battle between Geelong and Casey this week, with the two sides sitting in third and fourth and with everything to play for here. While neither side has suffered a loss since the competition returned a few weeks ago, both have been dealt a slight bump in the road from lower-ranked sides before propelling ahead, proving both sides are more than capable of coming back from a deficit if required. With neither wanting to give up a top four position and Blaze waiting to leapfrog one on the outskirts, the Cougars and Demons battle will be a sight to see.

The battle between Emma Ryde and Brooke Allan is set to be a cracker, with the two opposing players boasting very significant and different focal points. While Ryde’s strong suit is her strength, Allan’s aerial ability could be key, and the outcome of this game could really come down to the winner of this one-on-one battle. Sacha McDonald and Tayla Honey are both key to opening up space and time for Ryde to make her move, meaning Geelong’s defensive unit – including Victoria Honner, Ruby Pekin-Schlicht, Indya Forde and Alexandra O’Connor – will need to be on its A-game. Through the midcourt expect Madi Browne to work her magic on circle edge for the Cougars, as Demons defenders Georgia Vines, Demi Woodlock and Sharni Lambden work in overdrive to shut down the smooth movement and clean combinations between Julia Woolley, Bridgette Furphy and Zanna Woods.

Ariels vs. North East Blaze

The Ariels will well and truly have their work cut out for them when they take on the North East Blaze, only sitting a couple losses behind but with a shaky percentage and little consistency going their way over the past few weeks. For the Blaze, this one will be crucial as they continue to aim for a top four position on the ladder, and also aim to separate themselves from the lower half of the ladder which has seen wins creep up. While the Ariels have firepower in their arsenal, the Blaze have powerful key players across the court who can turn the tides within a split second.

Ariels boast goaling superpower Rahni Samason, with the smooth moving goal shooter both accurate and able to shoot at high volume, which makes her a key focus for the Blaze, with Ruby Turner likely to earn the start alongside the hugely consistent Tayissa Coppinger. While Samason works at a mile a minute, she will  require the likes of Olivia Morris and Stacey Gannon to really step up and steal some focus if the Ariels are a chance to steal this one. Defensively, Brodie Smith and Monique Clark have been influential for the ariels but will have their work cut out for them against Blaze’s Nyah Allen, Georgia Moody and Abigail Gedge, who have no issue with volume or accuracy. Midcourt-wise, neither side is afraid to pull the changes when the going gets tough, with Monique Tarrant and Meg Williams likely to start off in centre for their respective sides, while Ariels’ Maddison Wallmeyer and Blaze’s Chloe Lambert are consistent game-changers.

Picture credit: Netball Victoria