A TOP two clash between the undefeated Geelong Cougars and second placed Melbourne University Lightning is the highlight of a blockbuster Victorian Netball League (VNL) Round 5 action. The Cougars have passed every test thrown at the them, sitting 4-0 at the top of the VNL Championship ladder, with a massive percentage of 166.67. They take on the Lightning who though are not too far off the pace with a percentage of 124.26, will still be the underdogs in this contest.

Melbourne University Lightning bounced back from their only defeat of the season at the hands of Southern Saints in Round 3, with a victory over Peninsula Waves in Round 4. The Lightning piled on 60 goals to 37, with a 31-13 first half effectively all it took to get the job done. Though the Cougars sat on top of the table, and their opponents Boroondara Express were anchored to the bottom heading into last week’s clash, it was far from easy for the ladder leaders. In fact, the Express even took a four-goal lead into quarter time. The Cougars regained that advantage to lead by two at the main break, but it was a 16-8 third quarter that separated the sides and helped Geelong remain undefeated with the 48-36 victory.

As highlighted last week ahead of the Lightning’s clash with Peninsula Waves, Melbourne University has a number of talented players to keep an eye out for when at full-strength. Now her AFLW season is fully complete, expect Maggie Caris to put in a body of work on her netball, as one of the most talented youngsters going around. She will have a tough ask in the goal circle this week, but she has plenty of strong teammates in all thirds. Jordan Cransberg is particularly one to watch, with the midcourter damaging through the middle third to get to the shooters. Meanwhile Gabby Coffey and Shannon Blackman are other players who can impact a game on their day.

The reigning VNL Championship premiers from 2019, the midcourt of Melissa Bragg and Madi Browne when paired up will be difficult to contain, and a head-to-head with Bragg against Cransberg is what state level netball is all about. Vanessa Augustini, Georgina Cuthbertson and Georgette Paatsch have all had some outstanding seasons, whilst the shooting prowess of Julia Woolley and Zanna Woods provides depth up that end as well. It is no surprise why Geelong is the team to beat in 2022, so expect the Cougars to be favourites to get the job done again in this one.

In other games, North East Blaze heads out to Cranbourne to take on Casey Demons in a special top six clash there, whilst Southern Saints and Hawks Netball engage in a hotly anticipated mid-table contest. Bottom two sides Ariels and Boroondara Express will both search for their first wins in a bottom two match, whilst in the other clash, Peninsula Waves battle with City West Falcons in a ladder-defining game.

ROUND 5 FIXTURES: April 13

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