A BLOCKBUSTER top three clash between two of the undefeated sides will bring about the Round 3 Match of the Round of the Victorian Netball League (VNL), as the North East Blaze takes on Geelong Cougars. The Cougars are coming off a massive win over City West Falcons on Sunday (29 goals), backing up their 25-goal smashing of Hawks Netball from Round 1. The Blaze have ticked over the wings, but in far tighter scenarios, only defeating the Falcons by four goals, and Boroondara Express by 11.

The match will kick off at 7pm tonight on Court 7, with plenty of talent across the board. The Blaze will rely a lot on the twin talls – in more way than one – Nyah Allen and Sienna Allen up their respective ends. Nyah has been well supported by Georgia Moody in the attacking goal circle, whilst Kaitlyn Black was enormous in turning the tide last week, rolling between goal defence and wing defence and picking up some crucial intercepts.

The Geelong Cougars have an elite midcourt, with Madi Browne and Melissa Bragg just a couple of former Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) talents running around. Browne has that international experience that will worry any opposition player, and Black – if going head to head – will need to be at her very best. The Cougars have talent outside the midcourt, with Zanna Woods another one to watch, coming off a successful Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) Mixed Premier Division final.

The likes of Georgina Cuthbertson and Georgette Paatch are others who were able to get in some valuable minutes through that competition ahed of he VNL, and the depth at the Cougars is exactly why they have not put a foot wrong and being so dominant thus far. The Blaze have a wildcard in wing attack with Meg Williams having some great performances, whilst Chloe Lambert and Tayissa Coppinger are a couple of hard-running midcourters who have versatility across the court.

In other Round 3 fixtures, the other two undefeated sides thus far in Melbourne University Lightning and Southern Saints will lock horns in a massive top-four clash. The Saints drew in Round 1 with Ariels, before picking up a win last round over Peninsula Waves. The Lightning are two from two and sitting comfortably second. The fifth placed Waves will clash with the seventh placed Ariels, whilst the only other side to record a win this season in the Casey Demons will lock horns with the 0-2 City West Flacons. In the final game, Hawks Netball will take on Boroondara Express in a clash that will see at least one of the teams gain their first points of the season.

ROUND 3 FIXTURES: March 30

Ariels vs. Peninsula Waves
Geelong Cougars vs. North East Blaze
Boroondara Express vs. Hawks Netball
City West Falcons vs. Casey Demons
Melbourne University Lightning vs. Southern Saints