SEMI-finals are about to kick off with City West Falcons set to take on Geelong Cougars while North-East Blaze will face Casey Demons in hope to progress through to the big dance on August 14. All four sides are renowned for their ability to score with speed while their quick transitions down the court makes for some exciting match-ups.

City West Falcons v. Geelong Cougars

The Falcons have been the in-form team all season and only dropping one game, showcasing their sheer dominance. But the Cougars are no easy beats credit to their slick ball movement and dynamic goal circle. Geelong have given the Falcons a run for their money in their previous encounters, making for an exciting contest between the two sides with both coming off big wins in the last round of the home and away season.

The key to cracking the code for the Cougars is to shut down shooting machine Tharjini Sivalingam. The Sri Lankan shooter showcased her dominance on the world stage and has continued her hot form in the VNL, holding her space well and taking full advantage of her reach to drag in loose passes. Sivalingam can turn a game on its head but it will be up to Victoria Honner, Brooke Allan and Jessica Standfield to limit her impact to post and cut off the ball from getting to her. Another key player in defence for the Cougars will be Melissa Bragg who will be tasked with reducing the impact of Maggie Lind from delivering the ball into Sivalingam.

The Geelong Cougars have a plethora of options in the goal circle with Julia Woolley, Ruby Horton and Bridgette Furphy all able to hit the scoreboard with ease. All three shooters know each other’s game inside out and rotate through the circle making it hard to defend. They have proven that they are not afraid to turn and shoot while their accuracy is no issue, so if the Falcons are to progress through to the next stage of finals they must shut their movement down immediately. The Falcons defensive duo of Zoe Davies and Sarah Szczykulski works exceptionally well together, bouncing off one another and reading the play well to get clever tips and important intercepts, making this a key match up for the game.

North East Blaze v. Casey Demons

In their inaugural season the Casey Demons will have a point to prove to the rest of the competition but must first overcome Blaze who have been in hot form in recent weeks. Both sides have very differing styles of play but have shown that they know what it takes to win and create moments of magic to spark them into action. The last time these two sides met the Demons claimed a convincing win over Blaze credit to their strong structures and good ball placement.

Goal shooter Elizabeth Nicol can shoot the lights out and is an integral member for the Blaze side given her ability to capitalise from anywhere in the circle and back herself to perform. The talented shooter is often the go-to girl, posting high totals each game and asserting herself on the game with her clever footwork and strong holds while the likes of Sarah Hogan also plays an important feature role in attack. Through the midcourt Ella Bayliss is a real playmaker credit to her impressive vision, quick feet to hit circle edge and dynamic movement to open up space in the attacking third. The Casey defensive unit will have to be on red alert given their strong connections across the court with the likes of Karli Foster a lynchpin in defence.

Although they are a new team the Demons have some highly experienced players with the likes of Emma Ryde and former Australian Diamond, Erin Bell in the goal circle. Ryde has been essential in mounting the Demons’ campaign with her height and strength a real asset for Casey while Bell has oozed composure to deliver the ball accurately into her as well as shoot when viable. The Demons have shown that they can score quickly and accurately through Ryde and given the growing connection between the two goalers, Kaitlyn Black, Tayissa Coppinger and Georgia Bowkett must up the ante if they are to disrupt their rhythm in attack.