Round 16 produced some outstanding contests, with several teams showing strong form and others demonstrating the ability to challenge their opponents for four quarters.

With only two games remaining, consistency, composure and the ability to execute under pressure will be crucial as teams look to finish the home-and-away season strongly and build momentum heading into September.

Both sides will be looking to respond after Round 16 losses, making this an important opportunity to build confidence with just two rounds remaining.

Bacchus Marsh produced a competitive performance against East Point, with the scores level at quarter time before East Point were able to create separation in the second quarter.

Despite the scoreboard pressure, Bacchus Marsh showed plenty of fight. They responded strongly after half time, going goal-for-goal in the third quarter and producing another solid final term.

Their attacking combinations will be important against Sebastopol. Bacchus Marsh will need to create clean possession through the centre and give their goalers enough opportunities to build scoreboard pressure.

Their defensive pressure will also be important, particularly against a Sebastopol side that showed in Round 16 that they can continue to fight back after difficult periods.

Sebastopol were competitive against Lake Wendouree despite eventually going down 51–44. The Lakers made the stronger start and created a significant early lead, but Sebastopol lifted in the second half, winning both the second and third quarters and showing their ability to stay in the contest.

Alice Kain was again outstanding in the defensive circle, working hard to limit the influence of Lake Wendouree’s attacking options. Her ability to read the play and contest the ball will be important against Bacchus Marsh.

Sebastopol will also be looking for continued influence from their attacking end, with their ability to build possession and convert opportunities being key. Their ability to fight back against Lake Wendouree demonstrates that they have the resilience to remain competitive, but they will need a stronger start this week.

Key Match-Up

• Sebastopol’s defensive pressure against Bacchus Marsh’s attacking combinations.
• The ability of both midcourts to create clean possession and transition.

What to Watch

• Whether Bacchus Marsh can convert centre-pass opportunities consistently.
• Alice Kain’s influence in the defensive circle.
• Sebastopol’s ability to start strongly and avoid another early scoreboard deficit.

Prediction

Both teams will be determined to respond, making this a difficult match to predict. Sebastopol’s defensive pressure and ability to fight through difficult periods could give them the edge, but Bacchus Marsh have shown they can remain competitive for four quarters.

Bacchus Marsh Team List

GS – Kimberly Philipps
GA – Jasmine Paama
WA – Melissa Prismall
C – Eliza Moodie
WD – Ella Logan
GD – Georgia Shattock
GK – Avana Hobson
Sub – Olivia Phyland
Sub – Chloe Eyre

Sebastopol Team List

GS – Adut Manyiel
GA – Laura Bell
WA – Hannah Atkinson
C – Tahlia Watts
WD – Nikki Allen
GD – Taylor Finch
GK – Alice Kain
Sub – Makayla Wright
Sub – Jami Luhrs
Sub – Sienna Muir

Melton will be looking to finish their season strongly, while Redan will be determined to turn their recent competitive performances into another win.

Melton faced another difficult assignment against Darley in Round 16, eventually going down 83–24. Despite the result, there were positive signs throughout the game, with Melton able to produce three consistent quarters before dropping away in the final term.

Ebony Carter was a standout for Melton, continuing to shoot consistently and providing a reliable option in the attacking circle. Her ability to maintain accuracy and confidence will be important as Melton look to put more scoreboard pressure on Redan.

Melton’s development across the court has also been evident. They continue to build stronger combinations and gain valuable experience against some of the competition’s leading sides.

Their challenge against Redan will be to protect possession, create more opportunities from turnover and maintain their intensity for the full four quarters.

Redan enter the match after another strong performance against Ballarat, despite eventually going down 48–40.

Redan started extremely well, with Eva Manserra shooting at 100% in the first quarter and the scores level at quarter time. Their ability to challenge Ballarat for long periods demonstrated the improvement they have made in recent weeks.

Stacey Matthews was a standout, providing leadership and helping lift Redan throughout the contest. Her influence through the court will again be important against Melton.

Redan also showed that they can compete with the top sides but missed opportunities in the third quarter ultimately proved costly against Ballarat. Improving their shooting accuracy and converting opportunities will be a major focus.

Key Match-Up

• Redan’s attacking combinations against Melton’s defensive pressure.
• Ebony Carter’s shooting consistency against Redan’s defensive circle.

What to Watch

• Redan’s shooting accuracy following their missed opportunities against Ballarat.
• Stacey Matthews’ leadership and influence.
• Melton’s ability to maintain their intensity across all four quarters.

Prediction

Redan’s recent form against the stronger sides gives them the advantage, but Melton continue to show improvement and will be looking to make this a competitive contest.

Melton Team List

GK – Makeleta Simeki
GD – Felicia Toleafoa
WD – Erin Kypreos
C – Sydney Hayes
WA – Natasha Lacey
GA - Ebony Carter
GS - Scarlett Winstanley
Sub – Katie Kakoschke

Redan Team List

GS – Eva Manserra
GA – Ash Smith
WA – Stacey Matthews
C – Abby Poulton
WD – Caitlin Farr
GD – Kirsten Andrich
GK – Erin Riley
Sub – Stella Kane
Sub – Ruby Parry

North Ballarat will be determined to bounce back after their six-goal loss to Sunbury, while Lake Wendouree will enter the match with confidence following their 51–44 victory over Sebastopol.

North Ballarat were challenged by Sunbury in a close contest, with Sunbury eventually able to secure the win. Despite the result, North Ballarat’s ability to remain competitive throughout the match demonstrates the quality within their side.

Maddy Selmon continued to be a major presence in the shooting circle, scoring 40 goals and providing North Ballarat with a reliable target.

Maggie Smith again played an important role in defence, using her ability to sit off and hedge space to make feeding into Sunbury’s goal circle difficult. Her ability to read the play and disrupt attacking combinations will be crucial against Lake Wendouree.

North Ballarat will also be looking for their midcourt to regain control and provide clean ball into Selmon and their attacking circle. They will want to return to the consistent four-quarter performances that have been a feature of their season.

Lake Wendouree will arrive with plenty of confidence after their Round 16 win over Sebastopol.

The Lakers made an excellent start to the game, establishing a strong lead in the opening quarter and putting Sebastopol under immediate pressure. While Sebastopol fought back strongly in the second half, Lake Wendouree’s early scoreboard pressure proved decisive.

Alice Kain was outstanding for Sebastopol to limit Ebony Porter and Addison Funcke, highlighting the influence both Lakers goalers had throughout the contest.

Sadie Cheeseman was another standout, providing a huge volume of goal assists while also creating turnovers defensively. Her ability to influence the game at both ends of the court gives Lake Wendouree another important dimension.

Lake Wendouree will need to maintain their attacking combinations and composure against a North Ballarat side that will be keen to apply pressure from the opening whistle.

Key Match-Up

• North Ballarat’s defensive pressure against Lake Wendouree’s attacking combinations.
• Maddy Selmon against the Lakers’ defensive circle.

What to Watch

• Whether North Ballarat can regain their four-quarter consistency.
• Sadie Cheeseman’s influence through the midcourt.
• Ebony Porter and Addison Funcke against North Ballarat’s defensive unit.

Prediction

North Ballarat will be determined to respond after their Round 16 loss, but Lake Wendouree have plenty of confidence following their win over Sebastopol. The Lakers’ attacking combinations and ability to create turnovers could make the difference in another close contest.

North Ballarat Team List

GS – Maddy Selmon
GA – Poppy Douglass
WA – Georgia Bodey
C – Lilly Francis
WD – Brydi Hutchinson
GD – Milly Simpson
GK – Maggie Smith
Sub – Maddy Fitzpatrick
Sub – Kelsie Rainbow
Sub – Amy Wirth

Lake Wendouree Team List

GS – Addison Funcke
GA – Ebony Porter
WA – Bella Clark
C – Sadie Cheeseman
WD – Rosie Todd
GD – Remi Hooper
GK – Kate Drew
Sub – Emma Hawker
Sub – Demi Thompson
Sub – Evie Snowden

This shapes as one of the biggest contests of Round 17, with Ballarat and Darley both entering the match with impressive recent form and plenty of confidence.

Ballarat produced one of the matches of Round 16, defeating Redan 48–40 in a highly competitive contest. Redan started strongly and challenged Ballarat throughout the game, but Ballarat were able to take control through the second and third quarters, using their defensive pressure, transition and shooting accuracy to establish scoreboard control.

Dakota Blade was again the focal point in the goal circle, scoring 40 of Ballarat’s 48 goals and providing a reliable target under pressure. Her accuracy and ability to convert opportunities will be important against a Darley defence that has been able to create turnovers and transition quickly.

Through the midcourt, Xara Burge continues to be an important player for Ballarat. Her ability to control possession, apply pressure and disrupt opposition attacking flow has been a major part of Ballarat’s recent success. At the defensive end, Eliza Burge continues to show her dominance, competing strongly for every ball and turning defensive pressure into attacking opportunities.

Darley enter the contest after another dominant performance, defeating Melton 83–24. Their ability to control the game across all four quarters continues to make them one of the competition’s most difficult sides to challenge.

Olivia Cawthray and Akira McCormack were outstanding in the shooting circle against Melton, both producing huge scoring quarters and giving Darley a consistent attacking platform. Their ability to maintain accuracy while working together provides Darley with plenty of options in the circle.

Lucy Taylor continues to be influential through the midcourt, particularly when Darley win possession through defensive pressure. Her ability to create opportunities from turnovers and move the ball quickly into the shooting circle has been a major strength.

Darley’s defensive unit has also continued to perform strongly, with Jaimee Smith and Anna Lawley applying pressure across the court and helping create the turnovers that allow Darley to build scoreboard pressure.

Key Match-Up

• Dakota Blade and Ballarat’s attacking circle against Darley’s defensive pressure.
• The battle through the midcourt between Xara Burge and Lucy Taylor.

What to Watch

• Whether Ballarat can limit Darley’s ability to generate turnovers.
• Darley’s shooting combination and ability to maintain accuracy under pressure.
• Which side can control transition through the midcourt.

Prediction

This has all the ingredients of a finals-style contest. Ballarat have shown they can absorb pressure and regain control, while Darley continue to produce dominant four-quarter performances. Darley’s attacking depth and ability to turn defensive pressure into goals could give them the advantage.

Ballarat Team List

GS – Ava Verrier
GA – Rebecca Anstey
WA – Ava Richardson
C – Ella Shannon
WD – Abbie O’Brien
GD – Jacinta McKenzie
GK – Eliza Burge
Sub – Brooke O’Brien
Sub – Bree Lane

Darley Team List

GS – Olivia Cawthray
GA – Akira McCormack
WA – Lucy Taylor
C – Montana Holmes
WD – Jaimee Smith
GD – Anna Lawley
GK – Matilda Elliot
Sub – Shannon Blackman
Sub – Ailish McCormack

East Point enter this contest after a solid 37–24 victory over Bacchus Marsh, while Sunbury will be full of confidence following their impressive 60–54 win over North Ballarat.

East Point were able to create separation against Bacchus Marsh after a close opening quarter. Their ability to lift through the second quarter was important, and they were able to maintain enough scoreboard pressure to hold off Bacchus Marsh’s second-half challenge.

The inclusion of Claire Oakly added valuable depth to their attacking line-up. Oakly and Abby Kinnersly worked well together, with Kinnersly providing a strong goal-assist option and helping East Point create opportunities in the circle.

At the other end, Grace Rogers continues to be one of East Point’s key assets. Her ability to hunt the ball, create turnovers and apply pressure in the goal circle gives East Point a strong foundation from which to launch their attack.

East Point will need to bring that defensive pressure against a Sunbury side that showed excellent attacking composure against North Ballarat.

Sunbury produced the round’s standout performance, defeating North Ballarat by six goals in a contest that remained close throughout.

Kim Borger’s inclusion at GS added another dimension to the Sunbury attack. Working with Caitlin Hill and Lani Faunuko, Borger produced an outstanding 40 goals at 100% accuracy, giving Sunbury a reliable and highly effective target.

Through the midcourt, Tayla Honey and Taylah Easton were both standouts, producing fast, quality netball and helping Sunbury maintain attacking momentum.

Sunbury will be looking to continue that speed and accuracy against East Point, while also maintaining possession under defensive pressure.

Key Match-Up

• Sunbury’s attacking combination against Grace Rogers and East Point’s defensive pressure.
• The battle through the midcourt between the two sides.

What to Watch

• East Point’s ability to create turnovers through Grace Rogers.
• Whether Sunbury can maintain their fast-attacking tempo.

Prediction

Sunbury’s confidence will be extremely high after their win over North Ballarat. East Point have enough defensive strength to make the contest difficult, but Sunbury’s attacking form gives them the advantage.

East Point Team List

GK – Grace Rogers
GD – Stella Geljon
WD – Rhiannon White
C – Isabella Stevens
WA – Abby Kinnersly
GA – Jeremi Robinson
GS – Keele Hillas
Sub – Evie Rooney
Sub – Bridey McElligott

Sunbury Team List

GS – Caitlyn Hill
GA – Lani Faunuko
WA – Georgia Hellyer
C – Tayla Honey
WD – Abi Inglis
GD – Eliza Gollant
GK – Elly Randall
Sub – Charlize Bellette
Sub – Taylah Easton