By David Nagel
Exciting times loom large on the horizon for the Casey Demons with a talented squad set to challenge for this year’s Victorian Netball League (VNL) Championship.
The Demons began their season against Peninsula Waves last night – Wednesday 16 March – beginning an opening block of five matches that will see them take on the Ariels, City West Falcons, Southern Saints and North East Blaze.
The first four games will be played at the State Netball Centre, before a huge home-court clash at Casey Stadium against the Blaze.
Several Demons’ players have had busy off-seasons, but none bigger than Co-Captain Sharni Lambden who looks set for a huge season for the club.
Lambden received a call up to the Melbourne Vixens squad while the Australian Diamonds were in England recently.
Training full time with the Vixens led to Lambden gaining an opportunity in Traralgon against the Adelaide Thunderbirds where she relished her chance of court time.
Lambden’s form then earned a further call up to the Vixens for the ‘Team Girls Cup’ where all Suncorp Teams competed for the pre-season trophy.
The Vixens took the title on their home court at the new State Netball Centre with Lambden earning court time in the round robin matches.
The Demons are now thrilled to have their co-captain back in red and blue as they begin their season in earnest.
In other great news for the Demons, Georgia Vines and Poppy Douglass, from the Championship side, have been added to the Vixens academy for 2022.
The Demons will once again have three teams compete in the VNL, with the Championship, Division One and 19-Under squads all looking strong as they head into the season.
The 19s have had some strong hit outs in the pre-season and have looked competitive with their new look line up.
Coaches Brittney Pym and former Australian Diamond Erin Bell have the 19s looking good, with pre-season wins over Boroondara and Melbourne Uni holding the team in good stead.
On Sunday 27 March, just days after the round-two clash against the Ariels, Casey is inviting the Demons family, friends, supporters and sponsors to come along and celebrate the start of the 2022 VNL season.
Guests will get an insight into the season ahead and are invited to stick around and watch an open training session following the dress presentation to players.
Memberships, merchandise and raffle tickets will be on sale and light refreshments will also be provided.
The season launch will take place in the Casey Stadium Function Room beginning at 3.30pm.
VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE
Casey Demons – Championship Fixture
RD DATE OPPONENT VENUE
1 March 16 Peninsula Waves State Netball Centre
2 March 23 Ariels State Netball Centre
3 March 30 City West Falcons State Netball Centre
4 April 6 Southern Saints State Netball Centre
5 April 13 North East Blaze Casey Stadium
