NORTH East Blaze has started its Victorian Netball League (VNL) campaign off on the right note with a four-goal win over City West Falcons last night. The Falcons were coming off an undefeated – albeit limited 11-game – season last year, but the Blaze showed 2022 is a new ball game, getting up in a thrilling 64-60 win.

NORTH EAST BLAZE 17 | 19 | 11 | 17 (64)
CITY WEST FALCONS 12 | 17 | 15 | 16 (60)

The Blaze saw the return of twin towers of Nyah and Sienna Allen, two of four Collingwood Magpies training partners in the game, who started as bookends for the Blaze. Both were outstanding throughout the match, with Sienna particularly nullifying high-volume shooter Jane Cook in the first half thanks to some terrific body positioning.

Thanks to some sizzling feeds from Blaze 2019 Division 1 premiership captain and wing attack Meg Williams, and some long-range bombs from goal attack Georgia Moody, the Blaze’s attacking end was simply on fire. Moody got the better of another Magpies training partner in Zoe Davies, though the latter still impacted throughout the match with some crucial tips out of goal defence. Fellow training partner Montana Holmes was doing well in centre for the Falcons, but the defensive combination of Sienna Allen and Kaitlyn Black was holding strong and forcing turnovers.

North East Blaze raced out to a five-goal lead at the first break, and then seven by the main break, holding a commanding 36-29 advantage. Though down on the scoreboard, Cook was starting to find some rhythm and more space, with the switch of Maddy Gray on at wing attack for the Falcons. Her passing into the circle and to Cook in particular, helped swing the momentum back in the Blaze’s favour.

City West started moving the ball with more fluency, particularly in the third term, but the reliability of Moody and Allen was incredible. Both sides rotated through players such as Ruby Turner coming on in goal keeper for the Blaze to test herself against Cook in the final term, with Abigail Gedge joining Allen in the shooting circle. At one stage, Cook alongside Gray – who went into goal attack for the second term – seemed to be the perfect combination, with the Blaze able to cut the deficit to just two goals with 30 seconds left in the third term. Luckily for the Blaze, Allen secured a goal with 10 seconds left, and North East still held sway by three goals at the final break, despite the Falcons hitting back with a 15-11 term.

City West Falcons produced an early turnover in the fourth to score, but then turned it over themselves for the Blaze to go back-to-back and open up a four-goal lead. Melissa Oloamanu was showing off her vertical leap and impressive athleticism in defence against Nyah Allen, but the Magpies training partner ha the composure. Holmes maintained her pressure on the midcourt, and Turner did well at one point to intercept a crucial ball aimed for Cook. It was a steadier after Cook piled on five consecutive goals with six and a half minutes left in the term to cut the deficit to just two.

That was as close as the Falcons would get though, with Davies returning to goal defence to take on Nyah Allen in an all-Magpies training partner battle. Uneeq Palavi – who started the game in goal attack for the Falcons – also returned to the court to mix it up again, but despite the Falcons best efforts, the Blaze were just too consistent, and they sealed the deal with an impressive four-goal victory.

In other results, the VNL already played out its first draw with the Southern Saints and Ariels finishing on 43 goals apiece. That was counter-contrast to the remaining three matches, with the rest all decided by double-digit margins. Peninsula Waves were too strong for 2019 VNL runners-up Casey Demons to win by 13 goals (54-41), with the 2019 premiers Geelong Cougars dominating Hawks Netball by 25 (58-33), and Melbourne University Lightning running out 22-goal winners over Boroondara Express (56-34).

VNL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 RESULTS:

Melbourne University Lightning (56) defeated Boroondara Express (34)
Peninsula Waves (54) defeated Casey Demons (41)
North East Blaze (64) defeated City West Falcons (60)
Geelong Cougars (58) defeated Hawks Netball (33)
Southern Saints (43) drew with Ariels (43)