BOROONDARA Express slowly enter their Victorian Netball League (VNL) finals campaign with their heels high after a two-goal defeat over the Casey Demons who have just fallen short of the top four with their 62 – 64 loss.

Express now sit comfortably in third position on the ladder with two rounds remaining with the possible move up to second. Unfortunately for the Demons this will most likely be the end of the line with the odds not in their favour for the next two weeks.

Versatility of the bench went into Express’ favour as the Demons only had one interchange on court, causing the other six players on court to grind out the game which proved costly as fatigue played a factor in them falling short.

Boroondara came out of the blocks firing, not being afraid to lob the ball across court and sight the shooters early, scoring off its first centre pass in less than 10 seconds.

It was goal for goal for the first opening minutes until the Demons quickly jumped out to a two-goal lead of their own, but it was quickly overrun with mistakes starting to slip from the defensive pressure in the midcourt whilst winning the pick ups.

This outing left fans on the edge of their seats with momentum constantly swinging between each side and neither able to get away to a somewhat comfortable lead, but Boroondara took the first quarter by what would be the match winning two-goals, 15 – 17.

The return of Julia Woolley (12 goals) to VNL certainly changed the game for Express as her experience paid dividends to the attack line. It seemed as though she had never stepped away from the court with the combinations in attack looking effortless, like they have all played together all year. This was sadly cut short with what looked like to be a serious ankle injury late in the third quarter.

Isabelle Hodgson returned to her usual shooting ways, slotting 48 of Boroondara’s goals after having a jumpy last few rounds. She was holding really good space out the back with her on the move making dummy leads to draw the defenders out of the circle leaving her all the space in the world under the post.

Thanks to Tayla Honey’s speed off the mark and footwork in the second term, this drove the Demons to turn that two-goal deficit into their lead, heading into half time in front 32-30. She was constantly losing her player and giving herself so much free space to fun into due to the prelims she was completing and the dodges that were getting herself free and around the body.

The story would go on to be the same in the third quarter with the margin not budging until the Demons got away to a four-goal lead from the defensive pressure mounting on Express, causing a few turnovers here and there, but was ultimately reduced back to that well known two-goal margin heading into the final break, 49-47.

A very equal fourth term was expected between these two sides with only one player needing to step up and win one ball back to change the game. That was rewarded to Boroondara and within the blink of an eye it took back the lead for the first time since the second term.

Boroondara’s defence was just too good for the Demons that day as it took home the win 62-64.

VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE ROUND 16 RESULTS – CHAMPIONSHIP

City West Falcons (59) defeated Melbourne University Lightning (49)

Casey Demons (62) defeated by Boroondara Express (64)

Ariels (52) defeated by Hawks Netball (68)

Wilson Storage Southern Saints (61) defeated by Peninsula Waves (70)

North East Blaze (51) drew with Geelong Cougars (51)