As the 2025 VNL season draws to a close, the City West Falcons have secured top position, and have been crowned minor premiers in the Championship division while North East Blaze have claimed the honours in 23&Under.
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.
Details on the finals structure and teams.
Tickets for week one of finals are on sale now.
KEY MOMENTS
Championship
- The Casey Demons came out victors over North East Blaze to solidify fourth position on the ladder. Scores were level 61-all with three minutes remaining, until the Demons scored the last four goals of the game to take the win. Sacha McDonald’s fluidity with the ball saw the Demons work the ball into the circle rather than utilising the long feed. Blaze’s Georgia Moody delivered near-perfect feeds alongside Maddi Wallmeyer’s impressive work in attack.
- A consistent four-quarter performance for Boroondara Express saw them get the win against the Southern Saints. It was a defensive heavy game with Saints’ Mia van Wyk and Express’ Sarah Szczykulski consistently winning possession for their teams. Casey Adamson’s defensive strength stood out, as her aerial skill and commanding presence in the pocket made her a key ball-winner for Express, leaving no space uncontested.
- Hawks Netball’s quick start set them up for success early with the finalists defeating the Western Warriors. The Hawks looked unstoppable in the first half with an early 28-14 lead. The Warriors responded in the third quarter to reduce the deficit significantly, but the Hawks proved too powerful in Hannah Keane’s 100th game. Ruby Shannon was key in the Warriors comeback with her patience in attack. Eryn Stocker was another strong figure in the midcourt for the Hawks to provide the ball into Ashlea Mawer who finished with 55 goals at 100%.
23&Under
- The Geelong Cougars have secured a four-goal victory in a tight contest with the Bendigo Strikers. Scores were level at half time, but the Cougars were able to pull away, converting from the minimal ball the Strikers turned over. Geelong’s connections in attack were difficult to stop with Indi O’Connor’s (18 goals, 85%) passes and long-range shooting helping her side build a lead. Teammate Charli Hoey secured vital intercepts that swung the momentum in the Cougars’ favour, while Strikers midcourter Shae Clifford impressed with her powerful drives down the line, injecting pace into the attack.
- A goal after the siren saw the Peninsula Waves claim a one-goal win over the City West Falcons. Peninsula led by as much as eight goals in the third quarter, but several three-goal runs for the Falcons saw them put the pressure on their opposition. A balanced effort from the Waves shooters kept the Falcons' defenders on their toes, but it was Taylah Werner’s 22 goals at 88% accuracy and relentless work rate in attack that proved just enough to withstand the Falcons’ fourth-quarter fight back. Olivia Powell was a dominant force in the midcourt with her pinpoint feeds and seamless transition down court.
- Melbourne University Lightning came away with a 14-goal triumph against the Gippsland Stars. The Lightning celebrated Claire Oakley’s 100th game in style with the shooter being the dominant target, slotting 30 goals at 88%. Only three goals separated the sides at the first break, but the Lightning proved too good with Tilly Shepherd a standout in defence. For the Stars, Charlize Traumanis’ (26 goals, 92%) sweeps and baseline drives in the circle provided plenty of shooting opportunities from short and long distance.
RESULTS
Championship
Geelong Cougars (42) vs (57) Bendigo Strikers
Gippsland Stars (36) vs (55) Melbourne University Lightning
Peninsula Waves (42) vs (82) City West Falcons
Hawks Netball (67) vs (52) Western Warriors
North East Blaze (61) vs (65) Casey Demons
Boroondara Express (55) vs (46) Wilson Storage Southern Saints
23&Under
Geelong Cougars (53) vs (49) Bendigo Strikers
Gippsland Stars (43) vs (57) Melbourne University Lightning
Peninsula Waves (55) vs (54) City West Falcons
Hawks Netball (62) vs (52) Western Warriors
North East Blaze (66) vs (49) Casey Demons
Boroondara Express (61) vs (53) Wilson Storage Southern Saints
HOT SHOT LEADERBOARDS
Will remain undisclosed for the final four rounds
NEXT UP – Qualifying final and elimination finals
Wednesday 23 July
23&U
Qualifying final: North East Blaze vs Melbourne University Lightning
Elimination final 1: Hawks Netball vs City West Falcons
Elimination final 2: Bendigo Strikers vs Geelong Cougars
Championship
Qualifying final: City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express
Elimination final 1: Hawks Netball vs North East Blaze
Elimination final 2: Casey Demons vs Bendigo Strikers
