2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Watch four week two finals here

While they may head into Wednesday’s 23&U semi-final as underdogs, Geelong are confident of securing a second-straight finals upset against North East Blaze. Watch four finals LIVE here.

Geelong Cougars are ready to roll the dice with confidence when they take on minor premier North East Blaze for an early 23&U VNL grand final berth on Wednesday.

Finishing the year in fifth, the Cougars landed a coveted double crack at a grand final after they knocked off the higher-ranked Bendigo Strikers in week one of finals, the same night as third-placed Hawks were also bundled out of finals by City West Falcons from sixth spot.

The Cougars and Blaze clash will be one of four semi-final matches streamed live on KommunityTV from 7pm.

WATCH COURT 1 ACTION ABOVE AND COURT 11 BELOW

COURT 11

Co-captain and defensive star Charli Hoey said the Cougars were ready to take their opportunities against the Blaze to progress directly to a grand final, while her captaincy counterpart Mimi Lockwood – a midcourt general through centre – added that while it was a confidence-boost to have the second chance up their sleeve, they would instead go into the game with a mindset to win and play without fear.

“We’ve got nothing to lose,” Lockwood said.

“Obviously we are going in as the underdogs, we haven’t beaten them this season, but we have got close.

“I don’t think there’s ever really a standout team, especially in under 23s.

“You never know what can happen in finals and that was evident in the first week.”

That loss to the Blaze came back in round 9 to the tune of six goals, though the Cougars will take courage from the fact some of their best netball this season has come in the month leading into finals.

“It’s great to see as our season’s continued, we’ve all grown,” Hoey said.

“I think we didn’t really go out as strong as we wanted to, but to then finish as strong as we have been, it’s been really good to see.”

In a tight three quarters against Bendigo in last week’s elimination final, the Cougars showed their cutthroat qualities, putting the foot down in the final term to race away with a dominant 70-52 win.

Geelong Cougars 23&U co-captain Mimi Lockwood in action during round 7 of the Victorian Netball League 2025 season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

“A three quarter time, we came in and we put our heads in and we said, ‘let’s show them why we’re here and why we’re in finals’,” Lockwood said.

“We all went out there and played our hardest for 15 minutes and that obviously showed in the scoreboard.”

Capitalising on the scoreboard was sharpshooter Eliza Dunell (49 goals), with Lockwood confident both Dunell and their surrounding new-look attack end was starting to gel at the right time.

“We had a bit of a laugh, Eliza yelled at me for the first time ever (in the Bendigo game), and said, ‘swing the ball’,” Lockwood laughed.

“I feel like it’s gotten to a point now that we’ve all stepped up and we know our positions so it’s been exciting.”

Geelong will again be without wing defence Zoey Shaw (ankle) this week, with Maddie Mickovski stepping up with ease to fill that defensive midcourt role against Bendigo.

The Cougars’ 23&U ranks have leaned younger this year – Lockwood one of the eldest at 21 – but a strong bond within the playing group appears to be paying off.

As Hoey and Mia Aitken’s dynamic defensive partnership – both players’ state teammates – continues to strengthen, Hoey pointed to another Victorian player and one of their youngest teammates in Indi O’Connor, 16, for bringing a similar maturity down the other end of the court in just her first year in the league.

“I think she brings a confidence down in our attacking end and we need that,” Hoey said of the goal attack.

“When she’s on, everyone’s on.”

Geelong Cougars 23&U shooter Indi O'Connor in action during round 7 of the Victorian Netball League 2025 season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

Looking to lead a young group to a premiership, Lockwood said her and Hoey’s roles as captains had more to do with bringing calmness and driving reflection within the group this season.

“We’re always putting in the chat, like, what can we build on, what do we need to do better? What are we playing for? Why are we playing? I think always reminding the girls of those principals is super important, especially to us,” Lockwood said.

“It’s not about your performance every single week, it’s just about growing the team and that under 23s side and making them more developed (as players).”

As for their own dynamic, Hoey believed she and Lockwood – also teammates at GFNL club Geelong West – were able to gauge and understand each other without communicating directly.

“I think we kind of get a sense of, if something’s going on, we need to change something up, if we need to get around the team, then we get around the team,” she said.

“I think we really bounce off each other really well, and it’s been good to see that over the past year.”

Originally published as 2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Watch four week two finals here