ROUND 5 of the VNL was history making, but also statement making.
One of those who made a statement was the Boroondara Express, who came away with a big 18 goal win over the Southern Saints.
It was a tight affair early, with not much of a buffer between the sides. However, despite the height advantage of Emily Andrew, the Express’ defenders Sarah Szczykulski and Ruby Pekin Schlicht were really making the most of their opportunities to generate turnovers. This turnover generation, which is something the Saints were unable to do to the same extent, meant that as the quarter progressed into its second half, the Express were able to blow out the margin a bit, and as such took a nine goal lead into the first change.
The margin was maintained for much of the second quarter, but once the likes of Taylah Brown started to rack up the turnovers, the Express were able to grow their lead even further. Despite the speed with which the Saints were able to get the ball down the court at times, they were unable to get those crucial turnovers that the Express were getting.
The margin got close to double digits during the quarter, but ultimately sat at six in the Express’ favour at the main break.
Although goals were traded in the first minutes of the third term, the Express then landed six goals in a row to really open up the game even further.
That was the final nail in the coffin for the Saints, who struggled to get any kind of decent run of goals in a row, and therefore could not catch up to the Express.
In other results, the Falcons came back from their bye and did not miss a step with a solid win over the Warriors, while the Blaze remain undefeated after a big win over the Lightning. The Hawks also had a big win over Casey, while the Strikers won their first ever match with a huge win over the Waves.
VNL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 5 FIXTURE
Bendigo Strikers (77) defeated Peninsula Waves (35)
Western Warriors (57) lost to City West Falcons (66)
Casey (52) lost to Hawks (66)
Southern Saints (48) lost to Boroondara Express (66)
Melbourne Uni (41) lost to North East Blaze (52)
Bye – Geelong
Fonua has strong eyes on the international prize
SPORT was never on Lupe Fonua’s radar. Now it’s her whole life. Only picking up a netball at eight years-old, Fonua has taken big strides in the game. “I wasn’t raised on sport, but I found love for it,” she told Rookie Me Central. “My friends were actually playing when I was younger. So I […]
2025 VNL fixture revealed
IT MAY not even be the end of the 2024 calendar year yet, but Netball Victoria is already looking towards next season after releasing the 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) fixture yesterday. The 2025 campaign will host an 18-round home and away season before a four-week finals series. Round 1 is scheduled to begin on […]
Bethune’s bad luck breaks after triple knee burden
IT TOOK six years of hard work, determination and passion for April Bethune to even get a taste of the Victorian Netball League (VNL). At just 16-years-old, Bethune encountered her first obstacle. She was in the middle of tryouts for state and was preparing for VNL tryouts while playing A-grade. Bethune had ruptured her left […]
Fauonuku overcomes illness to nail nationals
IN A cruel twist of fate, illness came at the worst possible time for Amalani Fauonuku ahead of a national tournament. In what was nearly a nationals campaign to forget, Fauonuku persevered and overcame the illness to thrive across the event. The Saturday night before leaving for Frankston earlier this year, the 16-year-old was struck […]
Broken leg didn’t break Hoey’s dreams
FLYING to another state to represent your state to win a title. Getting to wear the navy blue dress of Victoria. Charli Hoey went half way through the tournament dominating the competition, until a leg injury caused a strenuous amount of harm. Hoey was diagnosed with bone bruising during the tournament which ended her nationals […]
Sharp shooter taking advantage of opportunities
YOU would think being 5’10 would be tall. In general yes, but this day in the age of netball, that is seen as being on the shorter side, especially as a shooter. Nowadays you see 6 ‘5 shooters like Grace Nweke, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Caitlin Bassett. Jess Tetley has figured out how to turn her […]
Country star Lavis takes major leaps to get a taste of SSN
TRAVELLING from Victoria-New South Wales border into Melbourne multiple times a week would take a toll on any person. Numerous hours in the car, training for two hours, then having to drive back. It’s an endless cycle. Mia Lavis has learnt to adapt to that being from the country town of Howlong, but she appreciates […]
Charlotte Sexton’s dreams are becoming a reality
“I WANT to make Suncorp Super Netball, not sure how many years I’m off doing that, but hopefully a training partner role is the next step.” Little did Charlotte Sexton know, that statement would soon become a reality. Sexton was announced as one of the five training partners with the Melbourne Vixens for the 2025 […]
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 […]
