CITY West Falcons soared above all others in the Victorian Netball League (VNL) finals series, coming from third spot on the table after the regular season, to post a memorable eight-goal win in the 2018 VNL Grand Final. The Falcons knocked off Hawks Netball in the semi-final before bundling out minor premiers, Melbourne University Lightning in straight sets, then defeating Geelong Cougars 56-48 in the decider.

The top four sides, along with fifth placed DC North East Blaze were clearly the five most dominant sides in the competition, as six wins separated the Blaze with sixth placed, Peninsula Waves. Boroondara Express and Wilson Storage Southern Saints showed they were capable of being competitive in the next placings, while Ariels won four of the 18 games. On the bottom of the table, Selkirk Sovereigns did not register a win, and their license has since being replaced by Casey Demons for 2019.

The work of former Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) shooter, Jane Cook helped the Falcons to the flag, scoring 53 goals from 58 attempts in the grand final, holding down the goal shooter position with prestige. Up the other end of the court, fellow SSN representative, Jacqueline Newton locked down opposition shooters as goal keeper. In that grand final, Geelong Cougars were far from disgraced, as SSN training partners, Melissa Bragg (Magpies) and Tayla Honey (Vixens) were strong in the midcourt.

Cook’s season was one to be admired, stepping up to score 59 goals from 62 attempts in the preliminary final win over the Lightning, while Tasmanian Magpies shooter who has been named on Collingwood Magpies’ SSN list for 2019, Gabrielle Sinclair was gallant in defeat scoring 31 from 34. Mikaela Vaughan made one appearance for the New South Wales (NSW) Swifts in 2017, but was important in the Lightning’s campaign this year. Cook also posted 57 from 59 in the do-or-die semi-final against Hawks Netball, while one-time SSN Vixen, Kim Commane was impressive for the losing side with 26 from 30.

Looking across the entire season, Cook scored 551 goals from 601 attempts with an accuracy of 92 per cent. She ranked third overall, but had the highest goals-per-game percentage of any player by far, averaging a massive 55.1 per game. Falcons’ teammate Uneeq Palavi managed just the six games, but made them count with 267 from 306 to be ranked second for average goals per game with 44.5. DC North East Blaze shooter, Elizabeth Nicol topped the overall goals table by far with 787 from 835 to also be the most accurate of the top shooters. She ranked third for average goals per game with 43.1. Boroondara Express’ shooter, Clare Vearing, Sinclair, Vaughan and Geelong Cougars duo, Julia Woolley and Zanna Woods made up the top eight, while Saints’ shooter, Samantha Silvester and Ariels’ Beth Wilson were shining lights in disappointing club seasons. The leading goalscorer title went to Nicol for the second consecutive year, becoming a vital player in the Blaze attack since crossing from the Saints at the end of 2016, where she finished fifth in the overall tally.

The first round of VNL action begins on March 27 with new club, Casey Demons taking on 2018 minor premiers, Melbourne University Lightning, while the reigning premiers take on the Hawks in a replay of the semi-final clash.