2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Gippsland Stars v Geelong Cougars, Round 17

The Geelong Cougars have delivered a statement win on the eve of the 23&U VNL finals. Could they be a serious contender when the finals kick off after next week’s final round? Watch the REPLAY.

The Geelong Cougars have recorded a timely confidence-boosting victory over the winless Gippsland Stars with 23&U VNL finals on the horizon.

Their thumping 73-27 victory lifts them into fifth place, but more importantly instills some genuine belief from their penultimate round clash.

With both goal shooter Charlize Bellette (26 goals) and Eliza Dunell (26) in superb touch anything is possible in the coming weeks.

Indi O’Connor also added 21 goals of her own as the Cougars recorded their highest total this season.

They met top three-side Bendigo Strikers next week to complete the home-and-away season before the business end of the competition begins.

Gippsland centre Paris Dunkley enjoyed a strong game for the Stars and Anna Mooney lifted in the final quarter as the Stars refused to lower their heads.

REPLAYS

Gippsland Stars v Geelong Cougars (Championship)

Watch the full replay in th window above.

Gippsland Stars v Geelong Cougars (23&U)

A deft touch by goal defence Indya Forde has saved the Geelong Cougars from blushes after almost surrendering a winning lead against Gippsland Stars in their Championship clash.

Ahead comfortably by seven goals entering the final quarter, the Cougars came to a standstill as the Stars made a late lunge in their midweek encounter.

With seconds remaining, the Stars had the chance to level the scores but Forde made sure that wouldn’t be the case when she pushed a crucial pass wide.

Moments later the buzzer sounded to see the Cougars home 46-44.

Goal shooter Carly Sanders was in fine form with 27 goals at 90 percent, while Daisy O’Kane and Daisy O’Kane chimed in with eight and nine goals respectively.

Stars goal shooter Ramayer Gourley finished with 24 goals and goal attack Stephanie Ferguson added 20.

PREVIEW

Zoey and Lulu Shaw might have the odd fight in the car but the Geelong sisters’ playing connection is built on years of sharing the same court.

From local club Geelong Amateur, to school netball for Geelong College and finally Geelong Cougars’ 23-and-unders, Zoey, 18, and Lulu, 17, are two key midcourt names for the Cougars as they chase VNL premiership success in the coming weeks.

With a maiden 23&U finals berth already cemented – the top six Cougars’ are 2.5 games clear of seventh with two rounds to go – clash against winless outfit Gippsland Stars on Wednesday shapes as a prime opportunity to finetune for finals.

The penultimate round clash between the Cougars and the Stars will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 8.30pm, with the Championship matchup kicking off proceedings at 7pm.

They’ll then face fellow finals bound top three side, Bendigo Strikers, in the final round of the home and away season next week.

Despite a 2-5 record against fellow finals-bound clubs this year, three of those losses have been decided by six goals or less, with the sisters confident the Cougars could give the best in the competition a run for their money in the post-season.

“We definitely back each other to do it,” Lulu said.

“We all know every one of us is capable … and do have the potential to definitely take it up to the top teams.”

Defensive midcourter Zoey praised the Cougars’ depth, revealing there was strong competition each week for starting seven spots.

“We know at our best we can definitely go far in finals,” Zoey said.

Geelong Cougars players Zoey Shaw (left) and Lulu Shaw in action during round 7 of the 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

The competitive streak runs hot between the sisters too, with Lulu, an attacking midcourter, last year backing up Zoey’s Bellarine Football Netball League’s 2023 rookie of the year crown for their local side Ammos.

“If I hadn’t gotten it, I would have definitely been kicking myself because I think there’s a lot of competitiveness between the two of us,” Lulu said.

Though Zoey admitted there were times they’d “get sick of each other” – having spent so much time together on-and-off the court – it doesn’t detract from the fact they still routinely look for each other on court.

“There’s a few arguments in the car, but coming down the court, me being a defender, being able to deliver it to her, her just taking it on,” Zoey said.

“I sort of give her the eyes and I’m like ‘Lulu come, and I spot it to her’.”

Lulu is quick to retort: “Or if she’s not giving it to me, I’m like ‘Zoey yes, Zoey.’”

There is plenty of familiarity for the sisters within the Cougars’ 23&U side, with former A-grade Ammos’ mentor Mel Savage their coach.

Both players credited much of their development to Savage and Cougars head coach Gerard Murphy, while Lulu said playing alongside new goaler Indi O’Connor at Geelong College had helped establish early connections in a new-look attack end this season.

Geelong Cougars 23&U players in action during round 7 of the 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

“That definitely helps because last year we played together as well at College,” Lulu said.

“So we’re used to each other and coming into the start this season definitely made me feel more at ease knowing that I had her that I’ve played with before.”

The Cougars face a tight turnaround for Wednesday’s fixture against the Stars, fresh off a 38-49 defeat to top six side City West Falcons in Ballarat on Sunday.

Having fallen away in the second half, Lulu believed the Cougars needed to have calm heads on court in the weeks ahead.

“I think every week is definitely a challenge and it could go any way, but I think we just need to believe in ourselves and back each other,” she said.

Originally published as 2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Gippsland Stars v Geelong Cougars, Round 17