Live stream: Geelong Cougars v North East Blaze, Victorian Netball League Round 8

It was billed as a blockbuster clash and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The Cougars might have added to their impressive record, but not without a scare. Watch the REPLAYS from Round 8 of the VNL now.

Geelong is well on its way to another finals appearance in the Victorian Netball League after outlasting a strong challenge from North East Blaze.

The Cougars, who had been challenged pre-game to put in a complete performance, turned in one of their best efforts of the season to outlast the Blaze 58-52.

WATCH THE REPLAYS FROM OUR VNL DOUBLE HEADER BELOW

A strong 13-goal final quarter put the icing on a strong performance from the Championship contenders and helped them pull clear after the Blaze had reduced the deficit to four goals at the final break.

For the second week in a row Daisy O’Kane led the Cougars on the scoring end with 31 goals, but it was the sharpshooting from partner Zanna Woods that made the difference. Woods finished the game with 27 goals at an impressive 96 per cent.

The Blaze, who enterred the clash with a 5-2 record, kept themselves in the fight off the back of a strong shooting display from duo Sam Silvester (24 goals) and Georgia Moody (23 goals).

The Cougars made short work of the Blaze in the Division 1 clash, running out 60-52 winners.

In other Championship action on Wednesday night, Boorondara Express continued their impressive start to the season with a 69-33 demolition of Melbourne University Lightning while City West Falcons edged out Southern Saints 61-54.

REPLAYS

Replay: Geelong Cougars v North East Blaze (Championship)

Replay: Geelong Cougars v North East Blaze (Div 1)

PREVIEW: Cougars hunting for perfect performance

The Cougars might have only lost one game over the opening seven rounds, but in an eerie warning for the rest of the Victorian Netball League, coach Gerard Murphy is adamant his squad hasn’t hit its peak yet.

Last year’s grand finalists have flown out of the blocks this season, but Murphy was adamant his side is still searching for a level of consistency on the court.

That search continues this week as they tackle another high-flying outfit, the North East Blaze, in KommunityTV’s exclusive live stream double header on Wednesday night.

SEE WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE BELOW

The Blaze are riding a wave of momentum into the clash, having won their past two games and five across the opening seven rounds.

“They (North East Blaze) had a good win last week against (Wilson Storage Southern) Saints, so it will be a tough game across all divisions,” he said.

“We haven’t been that convincing the last few games, to be honest. Even though we have been winning, it hasn’t been that pretty, but we have been scraping through.

“It’s the consistency, we will have some good quarters but will then have some bad quarters where we lose concentration or make some stupid decisions.

Geelong Cougars goal shooter Daisy O'Kane. Photo: Grant Treeby/NV

“Part of that is because we have some new players that have come up from Division 1 and are not necessarily familiar with the Championship Division.

“That takes time, it’s not something players can develop overnight.”

While the Cougars are the best defensive side in the competition, leaking a miserly 46 points per game, Murphy believes the game will likely be decided at the other end of the floor.

“The (Blaze) has been playing together for a while now, they have a strong mid court and a good defensive end,” he said.

“How we combat their defence, which is a nice solid unit, is the main thing – it will be how our shooters go.

“I think our defence matches up with their shooters pretty well, the difference – I would say – is probably going to be how our attacking end goes against their defence.

“If we go well in that area it will go a long way to getting the win.”