The spotlight was firmly on the engine room of the court in the 2025 Victorian Netball League season, with midcourters claiming top honours in both divisions in the 2025 Victorian Netball League awards.
Boroondara Express’ Casey Adamson was named the Championship division’s Most Valuable Player, while Bendigo Strikers’ Shae Clifford took home the 23&Under Most Valuable Player award at Wednesday night’s awards announcement.
Meanwhile, goaler Jane Cook continued her dominance under the post, winning the Hot Shot Award for the 3rd year in a row. The award topped off her night with the shooter taking part in the Championship grand final. First time winner, North East Blaze’s Olivia Cawthray was awarded the 23&Under Hot Shot Award.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS
Casey Adamson - Boroondara Express
Championship Most Valuable Player (Marg Caldow Award)
30 votes
Boroondara Express star and captain Casey Adamson has been named the Championship Most Valuable Player after a dominant return to the court in 2025. Coming back from a season-ending injury in 2024, Adamson has been a driving force in the midcourt by combining speed, smarts and relentless pressure to lead her side through another standout season, falling short in the preliminary final.
With Super Netball experience and a strong connection to Express’s attack line, Adamson has proven near unstoppable. Polling in 12 games, her ability to win ball anywhere on the court and set the tempo has made her the engine room of a formidable Boroondara lineup.
Shae Clifford - Bendigo Strikers
23&Under Most Valuable Player
26 votes
Bendigo Strikers’ captain Shae Clifford has claimed the 2025 23&Under Most Valuable Player, recognised for her composure, ball security and impact through the midcourt. A key stabiliser in transition, Clifford’s sharp change of direction and ability to find space have been standout features all season saw her poll votes on 12 occasions throughout the season.
Her presence on circle edge and control under pressure have given the Strikers a reliable link between defence and attack, rounding out an impressive and consistent campaign, in just her third season playing VNL.
HOT SHOT AWARD
Jane Cook - City West Falcons
Championship Hot Shot Award
1078 goals
Falcons goaler Jane Cook has claimed the 2025 Championship Hot Shot Award, smashing her own record with 1078 goals in just 18 rounds. She delivered a season-high 81 goals in a single game in round 14, underlining her dominance. The volume of goals was impressive, although her accuracy may have been the key to Falcons success with Cook scoring at 96%.
Cook ended the regular season 223 goals clear of the next best goaler, which shows how in charge she was under the post. Cook continues to set the standard as the league’s most prolific scorer.
Olivia Cawthray – North East Blaze
23&Under Hot Shot Award
768 goals
North East Blaze shooter Olivia Cawthray has taken out the 2025 23&Under Hot Shot Award after a standout season, scoring 768 goals across the season. A 54-goal effort in Round 11 was a highlight in a year defined by her accuracy and consistency.
Sitting over 150 goals clear, Cawthray’s strength and ability to score reigned supreme within the 23&Under division, as did her accuracy – 88% across the season.
With an additional 104 goals in the finals series, Cawthray has been a key to Blaze’s finals push.
The awards were announced on the VNL grand final night, where City West Falcons (60) defeated Hawks Netball (58) in a thrilling Championship match, while Melbourne University Lightning (54) defeated Geelong Cougars (42).
All awards and acknowledgements from the night listed below:
Championship division
Premiers: City West Falcons
Most Valuable Player (Marg Caldow Award): Casey Adamson (Boroondara Express)
Hot Shot Award: Jane Cook (City West Falcons)
2025 Championship Team of the Year:
Defenders: Sophie Hanrahan (City West Falcons), Chloe Duke (Hawks Netball), Charlotte Sexton (Bendigo Strikers) and Zoe Davies (Bendigo Strikers)
Midcourt: Zali Anderson (Boroondara Express), Emma Walters (Bendigo Strikers), Sacha McDonald (Casey Demons) and Casey Adamson (Boroondara Express)
Goalers: Jane Cook (City West Falcons), Teal Hocking (Bendigo Strikers), Isabelle Hodgson (Boroondara Express) and Ashlea Mawer (Hawks Netball)
23&U division
Premiers: Melbourne University Lightning
Most Valuable Player: Shae Clifford (Bendigo Strikers)
Hot Shot Award: Olivia Cawthray (North East Blaze)
2025 23&Under Team of the Year:
Defenders: Charli Hoey (Geelong Cougars), Eliza Molino (North East Blaze), Eliza Mooney (Bendigo Strikers) and Tilly Shepherd (Melbourne University Lightning)
Midcourt: Taiysha Wallis (North East Blaze), Shae Clifford (Bendigo Strikers), Ayva Tanfara (North East Blaze) and Millie Hogg (Melbourne University Lightning)
Goalers: Olivia Cawthray (North East Blaze), Amalani Fauonuku (City West Falcons), Ella Tennant (North East Blaze) and Charlize Gabel Joseph (Peninsula Waves)
Umpire of the Year
Tim Marshall
Lorna McConchie Umpires Award (Championship division umpires)
Justin Barnes
Nicole Wingrave
Reserve: Eloise Fox
Championship match bench officials
Melanie Taylor
Maddie Okely
Alison Hollands
Bench manager: Brian Hurley
23&Under umpires
Taylah Bennett
Emily Green
Reserve umpire: Adam Hoogwerf
23&Under match bench officials
Helen Roberts
Penny Forrest
Craig Moyle
Bench manager: Nicole O’Hare
