VNL Round 7 preview: Can the Saints stop the Express?
BOROONDARA Express are living up to their name as the Victorian Netball League (VNL) Championship side is on the move up the ladder. After dropping their first four games of the season, Boroondara has had back-to-back wins smashing both Ariels (26 goals) and Casey Demons (19) to be back in contention for finals. Their next opponent is the Southern Saints, who have had a real up and down start to the season.
The Saints started the year with a draw to the Ariels, before stringing together back-to-back victories over Peninsula Waves and Melbourne University Lightning. They are the only team to have beaten the Lightning this season, but the Saints also suffered losses at the hands of Casey Demons and City West Falcons, either side of a win over Hawks Netball. By comparison, the Express lost to the Lightning, North East Blaze, Hawks Netball and Geelong Cougars, before piling on 142 goals to 97 in the past two weeks to be a completely different looking outfit.
When up and about, the Express have some serious talent on their list, headlined by rising netball star Ruby Barkmeyer. Along with the likes of Casey Adamson and Elli Leydin, Boroondara is able to hold its own when at full strength. They face a relative new-look Saints outfit, with Emily Andrew, Caitlin Cooke and Tegan Stephenson among the talent to watch out on court for the Saints.
Looking across the league, Ariels will be searching for their first win against Hawks Netball, with the key to winning the bottom three clash about containing goal shooter Kaylia Stanton. At the other end of the table, there are a couple of top six clashes with Melbourne University lightning taking on City West Falcons, and Geelong Cougars locking horns with Casey Demons. With Emma Ryde and Sharni Lambden potentially facing off against Madi Browne and Melissa Bragg, there is a lot of past and present Suncorp Super Netball talent in that latter game. Rounding out the five fixtures is North East Blaze up agianst Peninsula Waves, with the former strong favourites to win that courtesy of the form of both Nyah Allen and Georgia Moody.
ROUND 7 FIXTURES: May 4
Melbourne University Lightning vs. City West Falcons
North East Blaze vs. Peninsula Waves
Boroondara Express vs. Southern Saints
Geelong Cougars vs. Casey Demons
Ariels vs. Hawks Netball
Lightning strikes twice for Hobson
IMAGINE going in for a routine scan to see how your body is holding up and being told you had no ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Being told that the previous surgery you had five years ago wasn’t performed correctly. Being told you had to have a corrective surgery right when you were climbing up ever […]
Defenders delight as duo tie for VNL MVP
IT was a big night for the Victorian Netball League (VNL) last night, with the annual awards night taking place. In the Championship Division there was a tie for the MVP, with Sophie Hanrahan and Jessie Grenvold tying for the award. The win caps off a year that was just about perfect for Hanrahan, who […]
Triple treat for City West as Falcons fly high again
THE City West Falcons have established a true dynasty in the Victorian Netball League, defeating the Boroondara Express 64-53 to win the 2024 Grand Final, their third flag in a row. The Falcons led convincingly for most of the match as the key players really stood up and really did not allow the Express to […]
Boroondara through to a decider, but not all goes Expressly their way
THE Boroondara Express are through to another Victorian Netball League decider after defeating the Hawks 51 goals to 47. Although the Hawks put in a solid fight back at the end of the game, a strong first half from the Express meant that their efforts proved futile. The Express’ intent was on show early, as […]
Falcons fly high as Hawks survive first threat
THE City West Falcons are the first team through to the VNL Championship Grand Final after a 77-54 win over Boroondara Express in last night’s major semi-final. Although things started off tight between the sides, when the Falcons made some key positional changes in defence and attack they saw things swing in their favour, and […]
PREVIEW | 2024 VNL – Finals Series
AFTER an entertaining and at times unpredictable home and away season, it is now time for the finals series of the Victorian Netball League. Four teams are all that are left in contention to win the title – City West Falcons, Boroondara Express, Hawks and the North East Blaze. Coming into this three week finals […]
Chaotic round sees all loose ends tied up
IT was an action packed final day of the 2024 VNL Championship season, with plenty of elation, heartbreak and narrow escapes across the competition. Blaze suffer heartbreaking loss, but not all is lost The North East Blaze were unable to beat the Boroondara Express which they needed to do to make finals – losing by […]
PREVIEW | 2024 VNL: Round 22
THIS is it. The final round of the 2024 Victorian Netball League season is upon us, presenting one last chance for sides to tune up for finals, make finals, or finish the year on a high. As things sit at the moment, only the City West Falcons and the Boroondara Express have booked their place […]
Surprises not forthcoming but anticipation still high
ROUND 21 of the VNL season may not have brought many surprises, but it did still leave plenty to play for in the season finale next week. Uni upset Blaze, finals spot in danger In the biggest surprise result of the night, Melbourne Uni upset the North East Blaze by 13 goals to put the […]
