Victorian Netball League 2025 live stream: Geelong Cougars v North East Blaze, Round 9

While her return to Geelong hasn’t been all smooth sailing, Cougars star Alahria Smith is confident they can turn things around against North East Blaze on Wednesday. Watch it LIVE.

Alahria Smith first left Geelong Cougars wanting to prove herself on court, but returned to find greater opportunity back within her home club.

Playing the last two championship seasons with Boroondara Express, the 25-year-old midcourter is excited by the direction a young Cougars’ squad is headed, as well as where her own game is headed.

Despite battling through a six-game losing streak – a foreign feeling for both the typically contending Cougars and Smith herself when she was at the strong Express – the midcourter is confident once the Cougars can ‘flip that switch’, they’ll be hard to stop.

And against North East Blaze on Wednesday – who will be hoping to avoid their third-straight loss – Smith sees a gettable result for the Cougars, as both clubs fight to get their season back on track.

The Cougars and Blaze clash will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 7pm.

Flying the Cougars’ coup

Geelong born-and-bred, Smith’s decision to depart the Cougars’ program – where she played Flyers and U19s – came with a desire to prove herself on court, first making the move to City West Falcons for a season, then later Boroondara Express to play under then-championship coach Kath Knott.

Working her way through the Express’ program, initially as a training partner, then into division 1 before eventually making her way into the championship squad when a spot opened up ahead of the 2023 season, Smith embraced playing alongside the calibre of teammates around her, as the Express made their way into two grand finals during her time with the squad.

Alahria Smith during her time with Boroondara Express. Photo: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

“I just learnt so much, the girls were so knowledgeable,” Smith said.

“Playing around a bunch of girls, especially (goaler) Ruby Barkmeyer who was playing with the Vixens and others who were training with the Vixens or Mavs, you’re just getting all this experience.

“I didn’t get much court time my first year (in champs), it was more (about) my development and learning.

“But I remember – I hadn’t been playing much court times in finals and then all of a sudden, I got this court time (in the grand final) and I was playing against (City West Falcons midcourters) Montana Holmes and Maggie Lind, which is full-on but awesome.”

Smith cemented a more permanent position in her second year in champs, after Express captain and midcourter Casey Adamson went down with a knee injury last year, as the club made its way back to the grand final.

But as weekly travel between Geelong to east Melbourne for training began to tire for Smith – waning on her love for the game – and knowing court time would likely diminish in 2025 as Adamsen made a return, it was then Smith decided to reach out to Geelong head coach Gerard Murphy about a possible move back home.

“That was another thing for me, I wanted to keep progressing with my netball and I don’t want to take a step back to the bench or fighting for my position – I really want something where I can keep going,” Smith said.

‘Exciting’ Cougars return

Eight rounds into her Cougars’ homecoming, Smith is enjoying her netball as much as ever as she works alongside Murphy and his coaches to take her game to new levels.

“Coming back has just brought back this love for it,” she said.

“And Gez is just such an honest coach – you’ll ask him a question and he’ll tell you an answer whether it’s the answer you want or don’t want.

“But that’s exactly what you need as a player, you just want that open, honest feedback.

“I’m quite a long, drive player … and I’ve been able to convert my game into quite a short, agile-moving game.

Alahria Smith in action for Geelong Cougars during round 7 of the Victorian Netball League (VNL) 2025 season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

“Changing between the different game styles has been something I’ve never really been able to do, but he (Murphy) just empowers you to do it. That’s been pretty exciting, being back.”

The opportunity to help others, while still learning herself, also excites Smith.

At 25, and one of the older players in the squad, Smith has been able to help guide the likes of second-year championship midcourters Kiahna Fallon and Charlotte Morey, while soaking up advice from experienced captains Brooke Allan and Ally O’Connor.

“It’s the best of both worlds – I’m helping people but still getting taught stuff by them too,” she said.

Smith has grabbed at the chance to play alongside O’Connor – this year’s Vixens’ reserves captain – in the midcourt.

“I say to her (Ally) so often – I’m your fangirl,” Smith said with a laugh.

“I absolutely love playing alongside her, she just brings this vibe into the team that she’s just a getter – any ball she just gets it – and you know she’s got your back in any sense.

“Even if someone’s having an off-game, or she’s having an off-game, you don’t know because she’s just so positive.”

The one percenters costing Cougars

A physical contest against Smith’s former club Boroondara Express last round saw the Cougars fall deeper into what is largely uncharted waters for the program of a six-game losing streak.

Smith is confident the Cougars’ upcoming fixture against North East Blaze – who have lost three of their last four games – is a “gettable result”, but cautioned it would come down to the smaller details and the Cougars’ ability to believe they can win.

“We’ve identified in the games, there are only just some one-percenter flaws, there are things we’re doing, where we’re like ‘that’s costing us a goal’ or ‘that’s costing us a turnover’,” she said.

“We’re doing eight out of the 10 things right but the two things we’re doing wrong are the ones costing us.

“And I think, we’re a very positive team, that despite losing by so many goals that it might be, we’re still on the court supporting each other and encouraging each other and Gez is really positive and Mel (Savage) is really positive.

“It’s just going to come, it’s a new team again, everyone’s young – we didn’t expect to take the losses we are, but also I think we’re so close to that little flip of the switch that once we find our momentum, I don’t think we’ll break it.”