THE 2021 Victorian Netball League (VNL) season got off to a flying start, with teams shaking off the cobwebs immediately following a full year without all three divisions last season due to the COVID-19 enforced statewide lockdown. With another unprecedented break almost done and dusted and matches expected to return on June 16, we take a look at the top Championship division performers across the opening six rounds of the season.

When it comes to goalers, the VNL has no shortage of talented players, boasting a wealth of up-and-coming youngsters as well as plenty of seasoned performers who cannot be stopped once they get going. It is hard to look past the output of someone like Rahni Samason, whose opening six rounds earned her a Suncorp Super Netball berth with the Melbourne Vixens, while Emma Ryde – a past Vixen and Adelaide Thunderbird – has also headed up to Queensland with the Collingwood Magpies throughout lockdown and Nyah Allen remains a threatening training partner with the Pies. While both very different players, the three goalers have the accuracy and volume to really apply pressure on opposition front-ends, with Samason and Allen also providing a long range option.

Melbourne University duo Mikaela Vaughan and Claudia Mawson boast the leading attack unit in the competition with their ability to not only both apply volume and share the load, but also do it with plenty of accuracy and from range. Geelong’s Julia Woolley and Zanna Woods are highly reliable for Geelong, while Boroondara’s Uneeq Palavi and Falcons’ Jane Cook are both a huge threat to post with strength and long arms to boot, with the former also boasting adaptability with her young age and willingness to learn coming to the fore. While not producing the highest output week on week, Ariels’ Stacey Gannon is reliable still even as a seasoned player, and the likes of Sacha McDonald and Nat Billings are never far from the action.

Through the midcourt, there is no denying the exciting court craft each team is putting out each round, with a couple of squad combinations really setting the tone. No doubt the return of Madi Browne to the netball court has made life hard for sides, with the former Australian Diamond and now-Geelong Cougar combining effortlessly with Kaitlyn Sheringham and Vanessa Augustini – among others – while Casey boasts livewire Tayla Honey, and Peninsula’s Sussu Liai never fails to spark through the centre. There is no doubt the ladder-leaders in Melbourne Uni has no shortage of talented midcourters, with former Magpies centre Shae Brown providing a cool head in transition, assisting the likes of Kelsie Rainbow, and sisters Jordan and Zoe Cransberg driving forward. Falcons’ Maggie Lind boasts a real talent for finding her goalers at the post, while Hawks’ Alex Salter and Emma Allman can combine seamlessly to provide a heap of offensive pressure.

Like both other facets of the court, there is a wealth of exciting defensive talent coming up through the VNL with a number of top quality developing circle defenders. One player leading the pack is the ever-reliable and explosive Brooke Allan, with the Geelong goal keeper a consistent threat for her side. There is no doubting the huge workrate of Lightning’s undefeated back-end with former Thunderbird Fiona Themann and Gabby Coffey relentless in their pursuit for turnover ball, while Casey’s Sharni Lambden combines effortlessly with both Karli Foster and Julia Smith to propel oncoming ball as Falcons Sarah Szczykulski utilises her hunt to consistent supply turnover ball alongside Zoe Davies and Melissa Oloamanu. Blaze’s Tayissa Coppinger is highly versatile, as is Peninsula’s Tara Cecil, while Saints’ Lyshae Barry and Boroondara’s Michelle Massarany provide tough one-on-one options.

Picture credit: Jason O’Brien/AAP