2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Boroondara Express v Bendigo Strikers, Round 12

Boroondara and Bendigo battled it out in a second-straight VNL thriller on Wednesday night, with the contest once again going right down to the wire. Watch the REPLAY here.

Boroondara Express withstood a brave Bendigo Strikers to further enhance it’s strong VNL Championship record to 11-1 on Wednesday night.

The Round 12 match-up was another close encounter between the two sides, with the 53-50 result following a one-goal difference in their round 3 matchup.

The three-goal win was another stellar display from Boroondara who led at every break following a hot 15-9 start.

The Strikers responded well in the second term, scoring the eight of the last 10 goals to cut the margin to just two goals at halftime.

But the ever-damaging Express front-end continued to dominate in the third with the lead again stretching out to six at the final break before it was cut to three at full-time.

Boroondara goal shooter Isabelle Hodgson finished with 38 goals in the win while Teal Hocking finished with 26 for the Strikers.

In the 23&U clash, Bendigo won 62-45.

REPLAY

Boroondara Express v Bendigo Strikers (23&U) – 2025 Victorian Netball League Round 12

PREVIEW

Just one goal separated Boroondara Express and Bendigo Strikers back in round 3, with Express defender Ruby Pekin-Schlicht predicting fine margins to again dictate terms between the two clubs in Wednesday’s round 12 meeting.

After contesting the past two championship grand finals – to no avail against powerhouse City West Falcons – the 10-1 Express are well on their way to making another run at premiership glory later this season.

But there will be no room for complacency on Wednesday against a quality Strikers’ line-up who, with several SSN training partners and reserves players in their ranks, are on the up and also in finals contention sitting in fifth (7-4).

The Express v Strikers clash will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 8.30pm.

The 23&U clash kicks off the coverage from 7pm.

“It’s a really tight competition this year, and I feel like no game is an easy game,” Pekin-Schlicht said.

“It was pretty equal the whole way (against Bendigo last time). It was a fight the whole way through and we were just really lucky to come up with that win in the end.

“It’s going to be a really hard 60 minutes on Wednesday for sure … I’m excited for it.”

One of the Express’ biggest strengths – much like the ladder-leading Falcons – is the level of experience through their ranks, and multiple years playing together.

Those bonds were key to Pekin-Schlicht’s seamless return to the squad after missing the start of pre-season, having spent more than four months abroad in Bristol beginning her PHD in regenerative agriculture – something she’ll do for the next two summers as well.

But it was Pekin-Schlicht’s ability to also play some Premier League netball with Bristol Romans during that time which also helped keep the 24-year-old sharp.

“I think if I came back without any netball (under me), it wouldn’t have been so good,” she said.

Returning to Australia in February, Pekin-Schlicht, ready for her third season with Express, has been able to take her game to another level, highlighted none more so than by last round’s performance against Southern Saints, the agile defender hawk-like in her hunting of the ball.

Boroondara Express defender Ruby Pekin-Schlicht (left) and Sarah Szczykulski (right) in action during the 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

“Having a mentor like Sarah Szczykulski in the goal keeper position, every training she’s pretty much giving me one-on-one coaching on how to defend, and Sophie Shoebridge, she’s another amazing defender who has helped me out – we’re all kind of learning off each other,” Pekin-Schlicht said.

Also helping the Express’ quest to return to a third-straight grand final is star midcourter Casey Adamson, who missed last year with a serious knee injury.

“She’s … probably the most amazing midcourter I’ve seen play,” Pekin-Schlicht said of Adamson.

“She was really valuable to us last year, she was at most games giving her insights and helping out with the coaching, but having her on court, she just lifts the team … she connects the midcourt with the defence and the attacking end.”

Originally published as 2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Boroondara Express v Bendigo Strikers, Round 12