Victorian Netball League moves to four-week finals series, 18 round home-and-away fixture in 2025

The Victorian Netball League will return in 2025 with a new-look home-and-away fixture and final series, as one franchise’s first foray into the top division will be tested by a tough opening month.

Gippsland Stars will enter the championship division in 2025. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria

Gippsland Stars will face trial by fire on entry into Victoria Netball League’s championship division in 2025, as the state league looks to expand to a six-team final series.

The Stars, who solely ran an 23-and-under team in their first year in competition in 2024, will play four of last season’s top six championship outfits in the first month of the new season, which kicks off March 12 at the State Netball Centre.

The two divisions will decrease their home-and-away rounds from 22 to 18 but extend the post-season from three weeks to four, with six clubs, instead of four, qualifying for finals starting July 23.

The grand final will be held August 13.

City West Falcons’ title defence starts against Western Warriors in round 1, with the Falcons out to win their fourth-straight championship crown.

Grand finalists Boroondara Express face Melbourne University in their opening game, while last year’s finalist Hawks and North East Blaze play Casey Demons and the Stars respectively.

But fans will have to wait until round 6 for a City West Falcons and Boroondara Express’ championship grand final rematch, and round 11 for its 23-and-under counterpart between Hawks and North East Blaze.

City West Falcons will be out to win its fourth-straight championship title in 2024. Meg Saultry

Close to 50 matches will be played at clubs’ home venues, with round 5 exclusively played away from the State Netball Centre.

Casey Demons host the most home fixtures, with three at Casey Stadium, while Bendigo Strikers will hold two games at Red Energy Arena, including a stand-alone Sunday game in round 1 against Peninsula.

Round 16’s First Nations round will see four clubs — Bendigo, Western Warriors, Geelong and City West Falcons – travel to Ballarat as part of a double-header.

The off-season has seen plenty of player movement across both divisions, while the league will be buoyed by the likes of star recruits Mwai Kumwenda at Peninsula Waves and Kristiana Manua at Bendigo Strikers.