2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Casey Demons v Hawks Netball, Round 16

The Demons have exacted their revenge from their round one loss to the Hawks in style as the battle for third heats up with finals fast approaching. Watch the replays.

The Casey Demons have taken down title contenders Hawks, for the first time since June 2023.

The battle for third place is well and truly alive after the Demons escaped with the win 56-51.

It marks the team’s first win over a top three side this season.

WATCH THE CHAMPIONSHIP REPLAY ABOVE AND THE 23&U REPLAY BELOW

The low scoring affair meant one thing - a defensive showdown.

Casey set the tone early with an intercept within the first 10 seconds and continued to keep the pressure on, finishing the opening quarter 16 - 10.

A full court press kept the Hawks at bay as they struggled to get the ball inside the circle.

While down the other end of the court, Demons goal shooter Emma Ryde started to heat up, using her height to her advantage.

This forced Hawks goal keeper Chloe Duke to ramp up her defensive pressure as she worked out how to slow down the star shooter.

By the end of the third quarter, scores were back to level at 40 a piece.

It was one of the youngest players on the court, Demons goal attack Piuti Laban who proved key defensively for the squad, forcing turnovers at a high rate.

Between the defensive pressure and a 42-goal effort from Ryde, Demons got their horns out in front to exact revenge from their opening round loss.

Both teams now sit at 12 wins and four losses with just two rounds left in the regular season.

Casey Demon v Hawks Netball (23&U)

In the 23&U division the Hawks have proved they will be a contender come finals time, taking down Casey Demons 53 - 45.

While the Demons battled hard to keep scores level for the first quarter and half, they couldn’t hold on as the Hawks started to run away with it.

The all important third quarter proved pivotal for the Hawks as they jumped to a 10 point lead.

The fightback was on for the Demons who outscored their opponents 12-10 in the final quarter.

Hawks wing defence Teagan Bethune proved she’s one to watch in the midcourt, dominating the passing lanes and showing why she’s one of the side’s best on court.

Casey will look to pick up another win as they take on the Southern Saints in round 17.

PREVIEW

Casey Demons’ Sacha McDonald doesn’t remember the details but does “remember the feeling” of a 15-goal opening round loss to Hawks.

But the Dees’ championship captain is confident her squad is far from the same side ahead of a round 15 showdown - and bona fide top 4 blockbuster - against the Hawks on Wednesday night.

The Victorian Netball League double header will be exclusively live streamed on KomunnityTV on Wednesday night.

Casey Demons Sacha McDonald in action in the Victorian Netball League. Photo: Grant Treeby/NV

With a top 6 position already locked up and finals just around the corner, the Dees (4th, 11-4) will target its first win over a top 3 outfit this year, in the 12-3 Hawks.

Casey’s middling 2-3 start amid some tough early fixtures was followed by an impressive stretch of nine consecutive wins, with their run ending last round against the undefeated City West Falcons.

McDonald - who is fresh off a “rollercoaster” SSN reserves campaign and grand final appearance with the Melbourne Mavericks - said her Dees came out of a nine-goal loss to the three-time reigning premiers feeling positive, having at one stage got the margin back within three goals late in the game.

Looking to build on the positive lessons against the Hawks, the Demons will attempt to reverse a 68-53 season-opening loss to their rivals.

“After coming off and feeling pretty defeated (in round 1), I do think we have improved week-to-week and we’ve really tried to identify those areas for improvement every single week,” McDonald said.

Casey Demons Piuti Laban in action in the Victorian Netball League. Photo: Grant Treeby/NV

“The first couple rounds we really had to find where our weak spots were - I think they were pretty big.

“But the more time we had to learn those and work on them at training, and in games, has really paid off.”

“So I do think it will be a completely different game to that round 1 (match).”

Armed with a stable squad and learning heavily into their rotations this year, the Dees have also been buoyed by the form of goal shooter Emma Ryde, who is averaging 48 goals at 91.27 per cent, while defensive recruit Georgie Whittle has played five of the last six games after missing the start of the season with injury.

“We’ve had to lean on every single one in our squad, and they’ve all stepped up and we have a bit of versatility in our positions - I swing between midcourt and goals and that pushes some of our defenders into the midcourt,” McDonald said.

“I think we’re starting to settle into those rotations and figuring out where we’re strongest.”

Casey Demons Asley Morris in action in the Victorian Netball League. Photo: Grant Treeby/NV

Fuelled by a disappointing ninth-placed finish in 2024, McDonald believed the Demons had proven they can match it with anyone this season ahead of their return to finals.

“It’s a big change of mindset, that we can be competitive with the top teams, to hang on, we’re actually in a position to try and beat these top teams and sit alongside them rather than feeling like we’re just trying to keep up,” she said.

“Especially with how much youth we have in our team, that’s been a big learning curve.

“To be able to be in finals kind of sets us up to be strong moving forward, and being a club that’s a bit of a target.”

Originally published as 2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Casey Demons v Hawks Netball, Round 16