Tasmanian Netball League 2025 live stream: Cavaliers v Hawks, Hawks v Cripps, grand finals

Heading into a grand final as ‘underdogs’ may be a new feeling for the Northern Hawks, but it’s one the reigning three time premiers are embracing against the undefeated Cavaliers. Watch it LIVE.

Northern Hawks skipper Lydia Coote won’t lie – she’s enjoyed the switch from top dog to underdog before Saturday’s TNL grand final showdown with Cavaliers.

As the Hawks won the past three flags barely losing a game, Coote revealed she was more anxious than excited, and felt the pressure of making dominant campaigns count in the match that matters.

It’s a vastly different mentality for the Hawks this time after advancing to the decider against the unbeaten Cavaliers from third, with finals wins over Cripps Waratah and Kingston.

Both the U19s and Opens grand finals will be streamed live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 2pm on Saturday.

Asked if she felt less burdened mentally, Coote was refreshingly honest.

“I’d like to think I wouldn’t, but I definitely do,” Coote said.

“I’m actually looking forward to it, when usually a week out from the grand final I’m quite anxious.

“In previous years I would be so anxious, because you feel like you have all that pressure on you in top spot to go on and win.

“But coming from third to the grand final is just a different feeling, a bit more of a fun and relaxed lead up. We just get to go out and do our thing, which is a nice mental aspect of it.”

The Hawks’ finals experience came to the fore when they delivered one of their best displays of the year in the preliminary final against Kingston.

“Some people mentally think it’s nice to have a week off, but for us I think we played two of our best games all season,” Coote said.

“We’re definitely happy with how we played and it’s brought the energy up, especially last week’s win.”

There’s little doubt the Hawks have played with a chip on their shoulder this year, a desire to prove people wrong, after the departures of star players Ash Mawer and Ellie Marshall to mainland leagues.

Hawks skipper Lydia Coote and Cavaliers captain Hayley McDougall before Saturday's TNL Opens grand final. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Sharpshooter Mawer is a six-time league MVP and considered by many the TNL’s best-ever player, while mid-courter Marshall was player of the match in the 2023 grand final.

“We’ve really liked how we’ve gone about us this year. It’s not left to one player, our culture as a club is we want success and we train for it,” Coote said.

“No one outside the club has seen us wake up at 5am to go to the gym or run club, they haven’t seen us at training.

“We’ve just proven we can do it. What our club has instilled the past ten years shows we are a successful club and we can do it, no matter who we have wearing the dress.”

The Cavs are desperate to break the Hawks stranglehold after losing the past two grand finals to their Launceston rivals.

But skipper Hayley McDougall insists they’re not feeling the pressure to cap their unbeaten campaign with the trophy.

“We’re going in confident but anything can happen in finals and we’re also keeping a level and calm head,” she said.

“There’s always pressure going into finals, I don’t feel like it’s different from previous years, but we’re happy and excited to be a part of it.”

Although the Hawks are rivals, McDougall replied “yes” when asked if she’s pleased the title will stay in the state’s north regardless of the result.

The two teams have also played in five of the past six grand finals.

“I think it’s awesome to have such competition against Hawks, even though we’re rivals it’s great to see people in the north have great success,” she said.

“It’s always so much fun, the northern derby. “Not only are we such strong competitors on the court, but the majority of us are really good friends off it.

“It makes it extra special, not only playing with your friends but against them as well.”

The match begins at the Silverdome at 4.30pm, after the 19 and under grand final between Hawks and Cripps Waratah (2pm).

Originally published as Tasmanian Netball League 2025 live stream: Cavaliers v Hawks, Hawks v Cripps, grand finals