The Falcons and Ariels were locked in a low-scoring struggle midway through the third quarter before 11 goals to two in the final eight minutes broke open the game.

A consistent night from Lara Hickmott (23 goals from 33 attempts) and South Australian Kristen Hughes (26-36) was the firepower Hume City needed to open the matchwinning lead.

But pressure further up the court and fearless passing when on the ball from wing defence Casey Price and wing attack Jacinta Todd was what changed the game.

Hume City had trailed by a goal at quarter-time and only went in up by two at the long break courtesy of a goal right on the whistle.

Yarra Valley's Stephanie Puopolo was proving particularly difficult for Hume City to stop; the goal attack went on to finish the night 20 goals from 23 attempts.

The first goal of the third quarter got Hume City out to a 25-22 lead but a seven-minute slog, lengthened by a Yarra Valley injury time-out, locked down the game with just one Hume City goal to Yarra Valley's three. Hughes scored a crucial goal after missing and rebounding her own shot twice for 26-25, with Hickmott taking the initiative for the rest of the quarter as her long goal for 30-26 started a scoring avalanche.

Hickmott's accuracy at the end of the third powered Hume City to a 37-27 lead at the last change, and Yarra Valley had no chance of a comeback in the final term as it failed to get within 10 goals.

The 17-goal win outdid coach Marg Lind's expectations.

Lind said her team had been expecting a tough opening match against Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels due to differences in pre-season preparation.

A big swing in Hume City's favour midway through the third quarter proved the difference.

"We pulled out a strategy change, told our wing attack [Jacinta Todd] to stay on the line on her own and ramp up the pace and sent the taller girls back in the ring.

"They stepped up the intensity and pace of the ball. Moving it quicker and running it quicker is what made the difference.

"Vikki [Bester, goal defence] was floating earlier in the first half when we were running a zone; we decided to restrict them [Yarra Valley] by going one-on-one."

Lind said it was pleasing her team had closed out a 10-goal advantage at three-quarter-time with no signs of a Yarra Valley comeback.

Hume City Falcons play Monash University Central at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, 8.20pm, tomorrow.