IN the blink of an eye, the Victorian Netball League season is already up to Round 3, and after an interesting opening fortnight the pecking order is starting to settle.

There is a clear divide between top and bottom on the table already, but it is only a fortnight into a very long season so there is plenty still to play out.

There is also four teams currently undefeated, but that will be come three tonight when the table topping Boroondara Express clash with the Geelong Cougars.

Although unlikely, after opening the season with two narrow wins Geelong will be hoping to win decisively tonight to stave off City West. City West’s percentage is significantly better than Geelong’s, so if Geelong stumble tonight and the Falcons defeat the Hawks, the Cougars will drop to fifth, perhaps even sixth if the Hawks prevail by a big enough margin.

Speaking of the Hawks and Falcons, the only two teams that sit at one win and one loss so far this season will clash tonight, with the winner keeping in touch with the top of the table while the loser set to slink close to the bottom of the table. Both clashes between the two sides last year were close encounters, so time will tell if that trend continues into 2023.

Just as the number of undefeated sides is set to decrease tonight, the number of winless sides is also set to decrease when Melbourne University take on Casey. Both sides will be disappointed with how their seasons have started, so expect a tough battle tonight.

The final two clashes of the round are not expected to be as close and an undefeated side play a winless side in each of the clashes. The North East Blaze are taking on the Peninsula Waves, while the Southern Saints will be battling the Ariels.

VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE ROUND 3 FIXTURE

Boroondara Express vs Geelong Cougars

Melbourne University Lightning vs Casey Demons

Hawks Netball vs City West Falcons

North East Blaze vs Peninsula Waves

Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Ariels