It’s the final round of the regular season, and while teams are confirmed for finals, positions in the top six are still to be determined and could set up sides for a great run home.
The 2025 VNL finals series will begin next Wednesday 23 July with eight clubs represented, taking on a revamped format with six teams in the 23&Under and Championship divisions competing in week one.
In the first week, 1 vs 2 face off in the qualifying final, with the winner advancing directly to major semi final in the second week, while the loser plays in the minor semi final.
Two elimination finals also take place in week one: 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5, with the losers eliminated and the winners moving on based on their ranking at the end of the season proper. The higher ranked winner will progress to the major semi final and the lower ranked winner progresses to the minor semi final.
In the second week, the minor semi final sees one team eliminated and the winner progressing to the preliminary final, while the major semi final determines the first grand finalist, with the loser given another chance in the preliminary final.
The third week hosts the preliminary final, where the winner earns the second spot in the grand final and the loser is eliminated.
Tickets for the first week of finals will go on sale when Round 18 is complete, at 12pm on Thursday 17 July.
FIXTURE
Wednesday 16 July
- Hawks Netball vs Western Warriors
- North East Blaze vs Casey Demons
- Casey Demons vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints
- Geelong Cougars vs Bendigo Strikers
- Gippsland Stars vs Melbourne University Lightning
- Peninsula Waves vs City West Falcons
BROADCAST
Netball Victoria Facebook
Geelong Cougars vs Bendigo Strikers
7pm – Championship
Peninsula Waves vs City West Falcons
8.40pm – 23&U
KommunityTV
North East Blaze vs Casey Demons
7pm – 23&U
8.40pm – Championship
**Access is free for existing Herald Sun subscribers.
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
- North East Blaze will be sighting revenge against the Casey Demons in both side’s final chance to prepare against another top team ahead of finals. The Demons surged into finals contention with their previous clash against Blaze marking the start of their dominant run. Ash Gill was a threat in their last hit out, with her physicality for the Demons key to their success. She’ll try and get under the skin of Maddi Wallmeyer, Blaze’s engine room in attack.
- An uncharacteristic loss for the Bendigo Strikers last week will see them try to bounce back against the Geelong Cougars. Geelong’s Indya Forde and Olivia Taylor have a big task ahead in stopping the connection between Bendigo’s Gabe Richards and Teal Hocking. The athleticism of both Forde and Taylor will need to halter the impact Richards has at the post with Hocking’s swift movements also tough to stop.
- Both the Gippsland Stars and Melbourne University Lightning will look to end their season on a high. The Lightning showed that once in front, they can maintain a lead, and they will want to repeat their efforts from Round 17 this week. Caitlin Hill was integral in the Lightning’s win last week with Ramayer Gourley also playing a vital role for the Stars in their shooting circle.
23&Under
- Boroondara Express push for their third win in a row as they face the Southern Saints. Both sides have shown promise this season but have struggled to find consistency. Hayley Howard’s confidence and strength on the take will be the most important factor for the Saints to get the win. It will be a battle under the post with Tallulah Lewis whose rebounding and tips to the ball give Boroondara the edge they need.
- Even though the City West Falcons have cemented their spot in finals, the Peninsula Waves will want to make a statement to close out their season. The Waves just missed finals but have showcased moments of excellence throughout the year. Falcons’ defender Achel Yout’s strength and lean in the circle will be key in trying to stop Waves shooter Charlize Gabel Joseph who is able to get around any defender while shooting from range.
- Hawks Netball has secured a spot in the finals, while the Western Warriors are out of contention, but with both teams reeling from tough losses last week, there's still plenty to play for. A top two finish is off the table for the Hawks, so they will be chasing a potential third or fourth place finish to head into finals with confidence. It will be an exciting midcourt battle, with Hawks captain Kaila Swindell the glue in attack. Her patience and footwork create space, but Warriors’ Sadie Cheeseman - known for her intercepts, game sense, and transition speed - will be right on her trail. A win this round means the Warriors do one better than their inaugural season last year where they finished with six wins.
ONE TO WATCH
Charlotte Sexton is a stalwart of the Bendigo Strikers defensive lineup. After her debut VNL season with the City West Falcons 19/U side in 2023, Sexton was awarded the inaugural Strikers’ MVP in her first year in the Championship division. The 21-year-old is also a Melbourne Vixens training partner and competed with the Vixens Academy in the Super Netball Reserves competition. She was most recently named in the Australian 21/U squad ahead of the Netball Youth World Cup taking place in Gibraltar in September. Sexton’s rise through the netball pathway includes being a member of the Victorian 19/U state team, named in the Victorian Fury squad and winning the Bendigo Football Netball League’s rising star award.
