THERE is now only a month left of the VNL season, and the results are all the more crucial as finals approach.
Bendigo Strikes in battle of newbies
The Bendigo Strikers have picked up their seventh win of the season after defeating the Western Warriors on Sunday.
The lead remained pretty tight right throughout the game, with the margin not rising above more than a few goals at any of the breaks. That was until the final term, when the Strikers finally built a proper buffer until the ultimate final margin of 10 goals.
Cougars keep finals hopes alive
Geelong has kept in touch with the top four after a win over the Boroondara Express.
Things between the sides were dead even at the first change, before the Cougars managed to build and hold a small lead through the next two quarters. They then further extended that out in the last term to win by seven goals.
NE Blaze past Hawks
The North East Blaze have moved into the top two after a win over the Hawks.
It may have only been a single digit margin at every break, but crucially for the Blaze that lead was always theirs.
Saints cause upset
The Southern Saints have dealt the finals hopes of Melbourne Uni a solid blow, defeating the Lightning by 14 goals.
Things were a lot closer initially though, with the Saints only holding a one goal lead at the first change. But by the time half time rolled around it was a totally different story as the Saints piled on 13 goals to five to really stretch the lead out.
Falcons fly high on winning ways
The City West Falcons have continued their winning ways, this time downing the Peninsula Waves by 38 goals.
In a continuation of a season that is going from bad to worse for the Waves, the Falcons heaped on the pressure from the start. The Falcons scored 23 goals to 10 in the first quarter alone, which was truly a sign of things to come.
VNL Round 18 Results
Bendigo Strikers (54) defeated Western Warriors (44)
Geelong (58) defeated Boroondara Express (51)
Hawks (52) lost to North East Blaze (58)
Southern Saints (54) defeated Melbourne Uni (40)
City West Falcons (89) defeated Peninsula (51)
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