Penultimate round could decide the season in VNL
TONIGHT’S VNL action could go a long way to determining how the final make up of the top four looks.
The match of the round is set to be an entertaining clash between two of the top three sides, the City West Falcons and the Melbourne University Lightning.
These two teams have been two of the teams to beat all season, and do not have to worry about qualifying for finals, so tonight’s clash is set to be an absolute cracker.
They currently sit second and third on the ladder, with Melbourne Uni’s draw with Casey the only reason the Lightning are not level on points with the Falcons.
The Lightning have won six out of their last seven matches, with their only loss coming to Geelong a fortnight ago.
Last week saw the Lightning have a pretty comprehensive win over the Saints to the tune of 66 goals to 49.
Speaking of the Cougars, they were also the last side to beat the Falcons when they beat them in Round 13.
The Falcons are currently on a three match winning streak and looking in scintillating form.
It was not all this way, with the Falcons having a slow start to the season, but that is long in the past the way they are going at the moment.
Last week is enough evidence of that, with the Falcons dominant in their win over the Ariels, ultimately winning by 25 goals.
Last time these two sides met was back in May, and it was a narrow win to the Falcons to the tune of only four goals.
It was close for much of the game, with the Falcons ultimately prevailing.
The Falcons will hoping for another big game from Jane Cook, who gave her side the bulk of their goals last time around and was ably assisted by Uneeq Palavi.
The Lightning will be hoping similarly for a big game from their star shooters Claudia Mawson and Mikaela Vaughan, who have been a key part of the Lightning’s success thus far this season.
This game will see a host of SSN talent line up for both sides.
Collingwood training partner Zoe Davies and former Pie Maggie Lind are set to line up for the Falcons, while Vixens training partners Jordan Cransberg, Gabbey Coffey and Maggie Caris should all line up for the Lightning.
In other fixtures around the league, the Wilson Storage Southern Saints and Casey Demons both needs to win their games against Geelong and Hawks respectively to keep their seasons alive. They also have to hope that Peninsula can cause an upset against North East Blaze to have any hope of finals heading into the final round. Meanwhile the Ariels will be hoping to finally get a win on the board for this season when they take on Boroondara.
VNL CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 17 FIXTURE
Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Geelong Cougars
Casey Demons vs Hawks Netball
City West Falcons vs Melbourne University Lightning
Boroondara Express vs Ariels
Peninsula Waves vs North East Blaze
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