A CONSISTENT outing for Casey Demons saw them get a 25-goal win (39 – 64) over the Ariels, getting one up over their opposition on the ladder in the Victorian Netball League (VNL) on Mother’s Day. 

It was a difficult game for the Ariels with plenty of chances to get the ball through the ring, but a bouncy ring caused the shooters to miss and the Demons defenders to win the rebounds and capitalise down the other end.

The Ariels threw everything they had at the Demons, but the Demons were too seamless in attack and their transition from defence into attack was fluent and hard to stop with a strong target under the post in Emma Ryde.

There was no stopping the connection between Ryde and Tayla Honey with the ball placement from Honey being perfect and her ability to hit circle edge with no problem was certainly an advantage to the Demons play. Her change of direction is what allowed her to her depth on second phase which gave her the space to run around anywhere she wanted, seeming as though she had no defender on her.

Sharni Lambden was bringing the heat in wing defence, using her height to her advantage, challenging every pass on the circle edge and getting some intercepts in the pocket. Her shift into centre for the second half just brought her defensive prowess into the attacking third giving herself more chances to go for the ball.

The circle entry of Sinead Lumsden was exceptional, knowing what set up the Demons attackers were doing and filling the gaps well. She has a strong lead when her side needs it but puts the shots up as well. She knows when to give Ryde the one on one but when to also present in the front space and do double plays with her middle to get her closer to the post and shoot the mid range and long range goals.

A 16 – 32 half time lead for the Demons boosted their confidence in keeping their work rate up which would transition into the second half, therefore keeping their performance throughout the game consistent.

The Ariels had a better fourth quarter with the moving circle working wonders for them, their best shooting combination of the night with both shooters able to move around and outside of the circle, and hold their space out the back.

Ariels goal attack Ally Black was the most consistent for her side, shooting majority of the goals and was the punch up the middle for the Ariels as they were getting stuck at the transverse line on attack. Black’s combination with Kyra Esler was the best with both shooters doing a lot of work in and outside of the circle, while shooting from under the post to long range.

Boroondara Express had a dominant win over Melbourne University Lightning, as the North East Blaze fell short of Geelong Cougars. Hawks Netball got a convincing win over Peninsula Waves in contrast to the City West Falcons slight win over Wilson Storage Southern Saints.

VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE ROUND 8 RESULTS – CHAMPIONSHIP

Boroondara Express (69) defeated Melbourne University Lightning (33)

Geelong Cougars (58) defeated North East Blaze (54)

City West Falcons (61) defeated Wilson Storage Southern Saints (54)

Ariels (39) defeated by Casey Demons (64)

Peninsula Waves (43) defeated by Hawks Netball (63)