ANOTHER finals preview could be taking place tonight as Round 9 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) gets underway. Amon the top contenders for the overall title, but sitting just off the pace of the top two, are third placed City West Falcons, and fifth placed Boroondara Express. The Falcons have a 5-3 record this season, a win behind North East Blaze, and two off the pace from ladder leaders, Geelong Cougars. The Express are just one win behind the Falcons and Melbourne University Lightning, with a 4-4 split.

The Round 9 clash between the Falcons and Express puts plenty on the line for both sides. The Falcons have a superior percentage to North East Blaze, who take on the up-and-down Southern Saints. If the Falcons get up and the Blaze suffer a shock loss, then City West will take second spot. But a loss could see them slip back to the waiting pack, and even below Melbourne University Lightning. Boroondara needs to win because despite having a healthy percentage for a 4-4 split, the Express will drop back a spot if Hawks Netball overcome Peninsula Waves as expected.

Boroondara Express have Casey Adamson in centre who will always be able to direct traffic and work hard both ways, whilst Ruby Barkmeyer and Isabelle Hodgson have been potent in attack. Zoe Davies is often the one tasked with stemming the opposition shooter’s influence, but the training partner has been called up to Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) duties already this season. Another one to watch is Melissa Oloamanu who has athleticism to burn and will make he opponents work for every ball.

City West Falcons are coming off a massive 42-goal thumping of Ariels last week, which was their fourth consecutive win after starting the season at 1-3. Boroondara Express have also strung together four consecutive victories since losing to Geelong Cougars back in Round 4, and at least one of those winning streaks will be snapped. Expect the clash to go down to the wire.

Across the league there are mostly large ladder discrepancies between sides, with top of the table Geelong Cougars taking on last placed Ariels as a potential thrashing. North East Blaze (second) take on seventh placed Southern Saints in an important contest, whilst the fourth placed Lightning lock horns with the eighth placed Casey Demons in another top eight battle. Ninth placed Peninsula Waves will want to keep in touch with the top eight and have a chance against sixth placed Hawks Netball in the other match.

ROUND 9 FIXTURES: May 18

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