The 2025 VNL finals are here, with the best in Victoria set to go head-to-head with one goal in mind.
Eight clubs will feature throughout the finals series, which will take place across four weeks in a new format with the reigning premiers in the City West Falcons for Championship and Hawks Netball in 23&U eyeing the trophy again.
In the Championship division, City West Falcons, Boroondara Express, Hawks Netball, Casey Demons, Bendigo Strikers and North East Blaze will battle it out for the title. In 23&U, North East Blaze, Melbourne University Lightning, Hawks Netball, Bendigo Strikers, Geelong Cougars and City West Falcons will play for their silverware.
FINALS FORMAT
Week 1:
- Qualifying (1 vs 2)
- Elimination (3 vs 6, 4 vs 5)
Week 2:
- Major semi (winner of qualifying vs higher ranked elimination winner)
- Minor semi (loser of qualifying vs lower ranked elimination winner)
Week 3:
- Preliminary (loser of major semi vs winner of minor semi)
Week 4:
- Grand Final (winner of major semi vs winner of preliminary)
CHAMPIONSHIP
City West Falcons
Ladder position: 1st
Wins: 18
Losses: 0
Finishing the regular season undefeated, the City West Falcons are the premiership favourites again this season. They’ve shown that they’re the team to beat and have only really been challenged twice this season by Hawks Netball and the Bendigo Strikers.
Falcons have been able to trial different combinations among their big margin wins, their biggest being by 47 goals, but their season hasn’t been without any challenges. They’ve missed Uneeq Palavi, Soli Ropati and Melissa Oloamanu due to Super Netball commitments or injury, but they’ve shown the depth of the squad and how any player can slot into their lineup and structures.
Charity Nasalio, a new recruit this season, has been an effective addition in the defensive end, with four genuine circle defenders generating turnover ball and giving Jane Cook every opportunity to score. Cook ended the season with 1078 goals at 96%, her dominance reflecting the vision and ball placement of Montana Holmes and Maggie Lind in the midcourt.
Boroondara Express
Ladder position: 2nd
Wins: 16
Losses: 2
One of the more reliable starting sevens in the VNL, Boroondara Express has established connections all over the court and a squad of athletes who know their roles. As one of the more consistent sides on paper, Express is always expected to be in contention come finals time.
The return of Casey Adamson from injury and recruit Zanna Woods from the Geelong Cougars add even more experience to their campaign last season. The big test for them will be their hit outs against City West Falcons who’ve had them beaten.
Adamson can win ball anywhere on the court, and as the engine room for Express with a strong connection with Ruby Barkmeyer in goal attack, she’s one opposing teams will need to work to shut down. Ruby Pekin-Schlicht is also an exciting presence in defence for Express, unafraid to attack the feed and have a fly at any loose ball.
Hawks Netball
Ladder position: 3rd
Wins: 14
Losses: 4
It was a new-look Hawks side this year with the promotion of several players, but they have impressed across the season. One of the youngest teams in the Championship division, Hawks’ style sees them work as a unit across the court, and while they’ve shown lapses in some games, they’ve also come in clutch to secure tight wins. The never-die-attitude they’ve displayed this year should serve them well in finals, as will their finals experience with the majority of the side having won the 23&U title last season and a Division 1 title in 2022. While being a new Championship side, this Hawks outfit knows how to perform on the big stage.
Ashlea Mawer has been the recruit of the year, the Tasmanian coming into the club with plenty of finals experience and six Tasmanian Netball League MVPs under her belt.
Georgie O’Brien is an unsung hero for the Hawks in wing defence, her strength and physicality making it hard for any midcourter to get to circle edge, while Sienna Green has also had a standout season in attack.
Casey Demons
Ladder position: 4th
Wins: 13
Losses: 5
Having lost significant talent in the off-season, the Demons have been the surprise packet this year. Emma Ryde is an immediate and consistent scoring threat, but several young players like Piuti Laban and Liv Hamilton have also had their opportunities with coach Erin Bell not afraid to use her bench.
Sacha McDonald has been outstanding, one of few players who can play all three attacking positions along with centre, while bringing invaluable leadership and composure thanks to her years of experience at the elite level. Ash Gill is also vital to their lineup, her versatility through the midcourt freeing McDonald up to control the game from any position and ensuring reliability and hard drives on transition. The defence this season has been held down by Ella Rees and Gabby Dwyer who have dominated the rebounds and have kept a steady head to win ball in crucial moments.
Bendigo Strikers
Ladder position: 5th
Wins: 12
Losses: 6
Arguably the strongest team on paper, the Bendigo Strikers have delivered for the most part. Having lost numerous close games early, the group found a way to regroup and win some tight contests as the season progressed. Athlete availability has presented some challenges to consistency with several players featuring in Super Netball (SN) Reserves.
The Strikers’ midcourt controls their game through Chelsea Sartori and Emma Walters, who utilise their ball speed to hit circle edge and find the right ball into Gabe Richards.
Richards has made an instant impact in her first VNL season, the former basketballer providing a tall and strong target at the post. Her combination with Teal Hocking has also grown immensely throughout the season, with Hocking equally capable feeding the high ball or capitalising on the front space.
Defence wins premierships, and that’s exactly what Charlotte Sexton and Zoe Davies are capable of. Bendigo’s circle defenders all featured in SN Reserves and can win a lot of ball, either contesting in the air against a holding shooter or shutting down a moving circle.
North East Blaze
Ladder position: 6th
Wins: 8
Losses: 9
Draws: 1
With an experienced lineup, North East Blaze would have been expecting a higher finish after several narrow losses and a draw.
They’ll be hoping their experience shows come finals, with key players in Nyah Allen and Tara Watson missing late in the season presenting a challenge for them.
With a squad able to deliver a moving circle or holding shooter structure, Blaze has several players capable of having an immediate impact on court and no opponent can be sure which lineup they’ll face.
Skipper Ty Coppinger sets the tempo on court, and when she’s winning ball, it sets up Blaze’s attack. The combination of Maddi Wallmeyer and Kali Dolphin in the midcourt brings ball speed and quick footwork, and
Georgia Moody can cover all three attacking positions - as the barometer of the team, opposition sides will look to shut her movement down early.
23&U
North East Blaze
Ladder position: 1st
Wins: 17
Losses: 1
North East Blaze have been the clear standout team in the competition, and they've blown away some of the other finalists by big margins. With only one loss registered to date, they’ll enter the finals series as hot favourites to take out the title.
Shooter Olivia Cawthray has been a powerhouse all season, accurate to post and building a near-unstoppable combination with Ella Tennant in goal attack.
The depth of Blaze’s squad is impressive, with coaching staff willing to utilise the rolling subs and throw something different at their opposition. Their movement and ball speed is hard to defend with Ava Lockwood and Taiysha Wallis confident on the feed.
Defender Eliza Molino has continued to improve, her footwork to gain front position and read of the play making her a standout in Blaze’s defensive unit.
Melbourne University Lightning
Ladder position: 2nd
Wins: 15
Losses: 3
Lightning had several players eligible for 23&U promoted into their Championship team this season, and with players stepping up into their Championship side throughout the season the 23&U squad adapted well.
Defender Tilly Shepherd was one of those players who spent time in both teams; unafraid to have a fly at any loose ball, her defence set the standard. Lightning also has four genuine shooting options, with strong holding goal shooters in Kate O’Dwyer and Claire Oakley, and goal attacks who can also act as third feeders in Akira McCormack and Annecy Lyon.
Millie Hogg’s speed is unbeatable with the midcourter dominant on the centre pass and in the pocket, complemented by Montaya Sardi whose hands over pressure and ability to win ball on circle edge adds another dimension to Lightning’s game.
There’s also plenty of finals experience among this group with several players having a VNL premiership under their belts.
Hawks Netball
Ladder position: 3rd
Wins: 12
Losses: 5
Draws: 1
Last season’s premiers were a relative unknown after promoting most of their squad into their Championship side, and while less experienced than their predecessors, the winning mentality has continued for the Hawks.
Jasmine Hamilton’s ability to win ball in defence can turn a game, her vertical jump capable of challenging any shooter while also hunting for ball outside of the circle.
The work rate of Teaghan Bethune coming from the defensive third is key in the Hawks’ transition down court, her presence well noted among their defensive lineup.
With Dakota Blade in attack, one of the most accurate goalers in the league, it’s a matter of who’s playing goal attack out in front of her. Allie Davidson has a claim on the bib having showcased her strength as a distance shooter, while making the baseline her own with clean footwork and drives.
Bendigo Strikers
Ladder position: 4th
Wins: 12
Losses: 5
Draws: 1
Bendigo’s greatest strength is the stability of their midcourt. Shae Clifford has played just about every minute of the season, setting the intensity and tempo early for the Strikers and maintaining it for the full 60 minutes.
Clifford and Mackenzie O’Dwyer work as a unit in the midcourt, their seamless combination offering valuable reliability and connection.
In the shooting circle, Jorja Clode owns the post in goal shooter. Clode isn’t the tallest shooter, but she can pull in any ball and shoot from range with accuracy. Her partner in crime in Ella Kerlin has dominated the front sweep, their strong shooter-to-shooter connection and Kerlin’s vision and confidence to let the ball go into the circle proving tough to stop.
Defender Eliza Mooney’s reach and aerial ability is intimidating for any shooter. She’s kept opponents to their lowest scores of the season and her versatility in the circle creates havoc for opposition feeders, generating turnover ball for her side.
Geelong Cougars
Ladder position: 5th
Wins: 11
Losses: 7
It’s been a shaky season for the Geelong Cougars with some uncharacteristic losses, but if they can play a consistent four quarters they have the talent to progress in finals. Their defensive lineup is the mainstay of the Cougars’ success, ending the season with the second-most defensive rebounds.
They have composed and experienced players across the court, but it’s Charli Hoey that’s stood up in moments of need. The young defender sets the structure and offers the versatility to play all three defensive positions.
Hoey’s drive down court is invaluable in goal defence but her ability to step into goal keeper is also a key option, offering a chance for Mia Aitken to step up to the occasion with Zoey Shaw also impressing in wing defence.
Sister Louise Shaw is key in the Cougars’ attack, presenting strongly on the centre pass and with depth on second phase, and re-offering to work the ball down with control. In goals Indi O’Connor’s timing, circle entry and clutch long range shooting has been a focal point in the Cougars’ wins.
City West Falcons
Ladder position: 6th
Wins: 9
Losses: 9
The City West Falcons have firepower in their goaling circle, with Amalani Faunouku in goal shooter connecting well with Holly Adams-Alcock in goal attack.
Their pairing has given Fauonuku the opportunity to attack the post, showcasing her capacity to shoot over 40 goals a game. It’s rare to see Fauonuku off the court, but the Falcons will rotate throughout their other shooters to provide a different element in attack.
Olivia Powell has stepped up as part of a new-look midcourt for Falcons this season, showing off her endurance through the middle. Powell has great control with the ball and gives away minimal turnovers, while working hard to meet every contest in defence.
The tall defensive lineup in Mikaela Minns and Achel Yout can matchup against any talls in the league. When they win ball, the speedy midcourt can quickly transition the ball down court.
