TWO sides who balanced their ledgers last week in the Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) Men’s Premier Division will go head-to-head in a fascinating contest tonight. The M-League returns after a league-wide bye last Wednesday due to Constellation Cup being held in Melbourne, with the Mixed Premier Division also having a number of classic contests – including Valley Wolves taking on Ariels – to begin from 7pm.

PREMIER MEN’S LEAGUE:

Round 3: (All at 9:40pm)

Boroondara Thunder vs. Altona Falcons
Netblacks vs. City Heat
Ariels vs. Darebin Dragons
Bye: St Therese

Two sides at one win and one loss from two games will face off in a classic Round 3 contest when Boroondara Thunder lock horns with Altona Falcons. The Thunder are coming off a nail-biting win over Darebin Dragons in Round 2 which was a better result for them than their two-goal heartbreaker against the Ariels in Round 1. On the other hand, the Falcons also picked up their first win of the season in Round 2, defeating St Therese by 13 goals, which turned around from their three-goal loss to City Heat in Round 2.

Back in Round 2, David Chisholm had an impact for the Thunder in the second half, coming onto the court and pouring on 22 goals to spur the team to a 48-47 win. Prior to that, the Thunder trailed the Dragons by six goals at the main break, but the work of Chisholm in goal shooter, Tory Allen in centre and the rotating midcourt that including James Robertson and Hadley Dixon, helped steer their side to victory.

Altona had an even contribution from its lineup, with 10 players taking the court, and the majority playing three quarters. Though minus Josh Feeney due to national commitments, the Falcons turned to defender Sam Dugan up one end, and shooter Andrew Lewis up the other. Dugan was named best on court in the win, while Lewis scored 30 goals. Centre Zac Mabilia was also among the Falcons’ best in the victory.

In the other two matches, Netblacks will be hoping to regain some talent for its Round 3 match against City Heat, with the reigning grand finalists losing in Round 2 against a strong Ariels outfit. They take on City Heat who are technically undefeated but have not played since October 5. Ariels will be gunning for a third straight win when they tackle Darebin Dragons in the other contest. The Dragons were thumped by St Therese in Round 1, but only narrowly fell to the Thunder in Round 2.

PREMIER MIXED LEAGUE:

Round 3: (All at 7:00pm)

LTU vs. NNE Vipers
Geelong vs. Eastside Sonics
Parkville Panthers vs. Melbourne Quakes
Valley Wolves vs. Ariels
Bye: Altona Falcons

Two sides coming off narrow Round 2 wins are Ariels and Valley Wolves who go head-to-head in one of many highly anticipated contests. The Ariels remain undefeated in the 2022/23 season, taking care of Eastside Sonics by five goals in Round 1, before winning in a three-goal thriller over Melbourne Quakes in Round 2. The Valley Wolves bounced back from a disappointing 18-goal defeat at the hands of NNE Vipers in Round 1, then got past Altona Falcons in Round 2 with a 56-51 triumph.

Looking at the Ariels side, it was the work of the shooting circle that stood out, with Jemma Osborne and Kurt Thompson combining well to down the Quakes. Osborne was named best on court with her 19 goals, while Thompson shot 33 in the win. Helping control the midcourt after quarter time was Holly Bujega who came on after quarter time, started in wing attack then moved into wing defence.

It means it will be a big job for the Wolves’ combination of Erin Jay and Tim Malmo in the back half to try and contain the Ariels defence, while Nat Billings and Brayden Pastore worked well together up the other end in the second half last week. The midcourt battle which also features Taurin Eimermacher (Wolves) and Ally Black (Ariels) will be key to setting up the win for their respective sides.

In other matches, the undefeated Parkville Panthers will go for three consecutive wins after victories over Geelong and Eastside Sonics, when they take on the unlucky Melbourne Quakes. The Quakes have lost their first two matches by a combined four goals, and will be hoping to turn it around in the Round 3 match. Meanwhile LTU came into the league with a bang, piling on 69 goals in a 10-goal defeat to Geelong, and will back up against a well-rested NNE Vipers outfit. Meanwhile Geelong will be strong favourites against the winless Eastside Sonics.

In the 17 and Under Division, the two powerhouses of the grade go head-to-head with St Therese and WDNA both undefeated from their opening two games, and facing off in Round 3. At least one of Darebin and Peninsula Walves will picked up the points in the other Round 3 clash, with both sides going down to the aforementioned undefeated teams. In the 14 and Under Division, the undefeated St Therese will tack on TBC, while Melbourne Up & Comers will be looking to bounce back from a Round 2 loss when they take on WDNA in the other game.