The top six is locked in for finals with the minor premiers also being crowned. City West Falcons have secured top position in the Championship division while North East Blaze have claimed the honours in 23&Under.
There’s only one more week of the 2025 season until finals, but the order of the top six can still change.
This week also saw a major milestone, with Falcons’ goaler Jane Cook shooting 1000 goals for the second year in a row. Cook has played in all 17 games so far this season for the Championship side, averaging 60 goals a game at 96%, scoring a remarkable 81 goals (100%) in Round 14 alone
KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- Melbourne University Lightning came out three-goal victors with an upset over the Bendigo Strikers. It was a close first half with Bendigo leading at the major break, but the Lightning turned it up a gear to establish a lead and come out winners. Emma Winfield’s court smarts in Lightning’s attack kept the ball moving with speed and away from the Strikers defenders. The patience of Chelsea Sartori showcased her experience for Bendigo with the midcourter’s ball placement into the shooters extremely accurate.
- The Southern Saints have caused a one-goal upset over the Casey Demons. Casey led by four goals at the last break, but the injection of Kate Oman into centre for the Saints brought the spark in attack they needed to take the win. Millie Roach was also unstoppable for the Saints at the post with 47 goals at 95%, while Sacha McDonald provided the vision into the circle the Demons needed in attack.
- A late surge by the Gippsland Stars wasn’t enough against the Geelong Cougars who remained composed and secured a tight two-goal win. Stephanie Ferguson provided support in goal attack for the Stars, shooting 20 goals at 83%, working seamlessly with Shannon Blackman. For the Cougars, Alahria Smith’s footwork allowed her to get onto circle edge to provide pinpoint feeds into Carly Sanders (27 goals, 90%) who was clinical in attack.
23&Under
- A commanding win by the Peninsula Waves broke Hawks Netball’s five-game winning streak. The Hawks had no answers for the Waves’ defence, having to adapt and constantly rotate their lineup. Hawks defender Emma Storey did everything she could to break up Peninsula’s attack, however with ball in hand, Charlize Gabel Joseph was formidable at the post for the Waves, scoring 35 goals (92%).
- North East Blaze held off a third quarter fight back from City West Falcons to claim the win. Ella Tennant’s (21 goals, 80%) dodges and timing along the baseline opened the space for Blaze, while Falcons’ shooter Amalani Fauonuku’s (30 goals, 85%) strong front holds were near impossible to defend. Falcons managed to reduce the deficit to two goals, but some crucial intercepts by Maddy George were converted at the post, pushing the scoreline back out to five goals.
- Boroondara Express claimed a dominant win over the Wester Warriors in a defensive masterclass. After a tight first quarter, Express rung the changes which proved impactful with Tallulah Lewis and Abby Hocking causing havoc in defence. Eva Ryan continued being a strong and physical presence for the Warriors, but the injection of Boroondara’s Tilly Baker (16 goals, 94%) into goal shooter silenced the Warriors with her timing and slick movements hard to stop.
RESULTS
Championship
Hawks Netball (84) vs (42) Peninsula Waves
Gippsland Stars (44) vs (46) Geelong Cougars
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (63) vs (62) Casey Demons
Melbourne University Lightning (53) vs (50) Bendigo Strikers
City West Falcons (73) vs (55) North East Blaze
Western Warriors (44) vs (58) Boroondara Express
23&Under
Hawks Netball (54) vs (64) Peninsula Waves
Gippsland Stars (27) vs (73) Geelong Cougars
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (53) vs (64) Casey Demons
Melbourne University Lightning (64) vs (52) Bendigo Strikers
City West Falcons (44) vs (49) North East Blaze
Western Warriors (42) vs (53) Boroondara Express
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Will remain undisclosed for the final four rounds
NEXT UP – ROUND 18
Wednesday 16 July
Geelong Cougars vs Bendigo Strikers
Gippsland Stars vs Melbourne University Lightning
Peninsula Waves vs City West Falcons
Hawks Netball vs Western Warriors
North East Blaze vs Casey Demons
Boroondara Express vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints
