It’s the second week of finals in the Victorian Netball League (VNL).

Last week saw two teams in each division eliminated – North East Blaze and Geelong Cougars in the Championship division, and Western Warriors and Bendigo Strikers in 23&Under – leaving four in each division to battle it out in this week’s semis.

The major semi final will determine the first grand finalist, with the loser given another chance in the preliminary final next week. The minor semi final will see one team eliminated and the winner progress to the preliminary final.

All games are at the State Netball Centre in Parkville on Wednesday July 29. Purchase tickets online or at the door, or stream for free at vnl.com.au.

Championship

The night’s action starts on court 1 (show court) at 7pm where minor premiers and qualifying final winners Hawks Netball take on Casey Demons in the major semi final.

Hawks Netball have been a dominant attacking side this season, as shown in their 77-68 qualifying final win over four-time consecutive reigning premiers City West Falcons last week.

Shutting down the elusive movement and volume of Ashlea Mawer, and dynamic movement of goal attack Jessica Tetley, will be crucial for Casey in this match. Both Hawks goalers recorded their season-best shooting statistics in the preliminary final: 49 goals at 90% for Mawer, and 25 goals at 96% for Tetley, with former Melbourne Vixens Kaylia Stanton playing only a short stint in goal shooter during the final quarter. Watch how Casey defenders Jess Haynes (who moved to the VNL this year after playing in the UK’s Netball Super League) and Vixens Academy athlete Gabby Dwyer’s (captain) work to disrupt this flexible and experienced shooting circle.

Hawks have a strong and versatile midcourt headlined last week by centre pass pressure of Georgie O'Brien at wing defence, the energetic movement of Sienna Green, and change of direction of Kaila Swindell. Casey vice-captain Ash Gill will lead by example on court but will need more support bringing the ball down in attack to goalers Emma Ryde (kept to a relatively low 36 goals last week) and Keeley Burgmann (19 goals at 86% last week – her season high).

The potential addition of young Piuti Laban – who missed the first round of finals playing for Samoa in the Ocean of Power Tour in Samoa last week – will be a huge for Casey in providing them with more wing and goal attack cover.

In their one prior meeting this season back in Round 3, Hawks defeated Casey by just 3 goals, with Stanton playing as Hawks’ dominant shooter.

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In the Championship minor semi final, City West Falcons play Bendigo Strikers on court 11 at 8.45pm.

Bendigo proved themselves in their elimination final last week getting a 1-goal win over North East Blaze in a tightly contested 60-minute battle. Their defenders, Charlotte Sexton (who has not played against Falcons this season) and Kristiana Manu'a, have both the physicality and height to take on City West Falcons’ holding shooter Jane Cook, setting the scene for this must-watch semi final.

These teams have previously played on two occasions this season with vastly different results. In Round 4, Bendigo defeated Falcons 68-61 without Sexton, former Melbourne Vixens goaler Ruby Barkmeyer, or midcourter Meg Willaims in their squad, while Soli Ropati was yet to return post ACL rehab for Falcons. In their Round 15 match, Falcons managed a 16-goal win with the addition of Ropati as well as Georgia Berry, who did not take the court in the elimination final against Hawks despite the reigning premiers struggling defensively.

Falcons’ defenders will need to fire up against Bendigo goal shooter Hayley Howard, who shot an individual season-high 40 goals playing Falcons in Round 4, and is coming off a 100% shooting performance in the elimination final.

If Bendigo win, Falcons will be eliminated, putting an end to their run to a fifth-consecutive premiership.

23&Under

The first game of the 23&Under division is the minor semi final at 7pm on court 11 between reigning premiers Melbourne University Lightning against City West Falcons.

Lightning will remain confident going into this match, having produced a 16-10 third quarter against minor premiers Geelong Cougars in their close 3-goal loss last week. Kate O’Dwyer in particular had an outstanding game shooting 49 goals at 100% – by far her season best.

Falcons sealed their elimination final win against Bendigo Strikers with a strong final quarter and near-flawless 60-minute goal attack performance from Molly Moylan, who shot 30 goals at 100%.

In their only prior meeting this season (Round 10), Lightning defeated Falcons 61-53 without Moylan in the match day squad for Falcons, or defender Cleo McLachlan for Lightning.

Watch the matchup between Falcons wing defence Manon Muir who offers an exceptional read of the play, against the speed and experience of Lightning captain Millie Hogg.

If Falcons win this match, they’ll send last year’s winners and two-time consecutive grand finalists home in straight sets.

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The major 23&Under semi final will see minor premiers Geelong Cougars against North East Blaze on court 1 (show court) at 8.45pm.

A key matchup in this game is 19/U Victorian State teammates Mia Aitken (co-captain) in goal defence for Geelong, against Annecy Lyon in goal attack for Blaze coming off a 100% elimination final shooting performance.

When these teams last met in Round 8, Cougars won 51-46, featuring Lyon in the dominant goal shooter role over Blaze’s usual 60-minute player Olivia Cawthray, and WA/GA Ava Upton in goal attack. Cougars defenders Aitken and Keeley Smith will be prepared for both scenarios in this match.

At the other end of the court, Blaze defender Eliza Molino (captain) played an important role containing Piper Stephens (kept to her equal season low of 8 goals in Round 8) in their last meeting, which will again be critical in this game.

Blaze defender Annabel Sheppard is another player to watch after a standout performance in goal keeper last week – a repeat of which will be needed to curb the volume of Geelong shooter Eliza Dunell.

If Geelong win, it will be their second consecutive appearance in the 23&Under grand final. North East Blaze finished runners up in the inaugural season, and minor premiers in 2025.

Stream all VNL matches live and free at vnl.com.au. All State Netball Centre semi final matches are open to the public, with tickets available to purchase at the door or in advance here.

	Team	P	W	PTS
01	Hawks Netball	18	15	62
02	City West Falcons	18	13	52
03	Casey Demons	18	13	52
04	North East Blaze	18	11	48
05	Bendigo Strikers	18	11	44
06	Geelong Cougars	18	7	30
07	Melbourne University Lightning	18	6	28
08	Gippsland Stars	18	7	28
09	Peninsula Waves	18	6	28
10	Boroondara Express	18	6	26
11	Western Warriors	18	5	24
12	Wilson Storage Southern Saints	18	2	10

VNL

14 hours ago

VNL preview | Semi finals

Championship

FIXTURE

Hawks Netball

Casey Demons

City West Falcons

Bendigo Strikers

Championship

LADDER