Tasmanian Netball League 2025 live stream: Hawks v Kingston, Round 15

While a win over the Hawks would extend Kingston’s lead in second-spot on the TNL ladder, the Blues are bracing for a ‘massive’ challenge on Saturday. Watch it LIVE here.

While she may be pleased with how their season has panned out to date, Kingston Blues coach Tania McNear is under no illusions of what a second win over the Northern Hawks would do for their premiership aspirations.

The second-place Blues will hit the highway in round 15 to face the third-place reigning premiers at the Silverdome in a contest that could have major implications on the finals.

Both the Opens and U19 clashes will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV this Saturday from 4pm.

After going down to the Cavaliers in last year’s preliminary final, Kingston have responded strongly despite starting the season with back-to-back losses to both the Cavs and the Hawks.

And while their only other loss has come against the undefeated Cavaliers – a 54-49 defeat in round 8 – they turned the tables to defeat the Hawks by 10 goals the following week.

With the two sides almost guaranteed to square off again come finals, McNear knows securing another win over the Hawks will be vital in holding onto second spot coming into the final rounds of the season.

“This weekend is massive,” McNear said.

Kingston Blues head coach Tania McNear has lead her side to a 9-3 record so far in 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson.

“The Hawks are still a quality side, and this game has a bit of a finals-like intensity about it. If we can get the result, it puts us in a strong position and gives us a little breathing room heading into the final rounds.

“We know the stakes and we’re ready for the challenge. But no matter the result I am sure we will take lessons from it heading into finals.”

With just six games left on their home and away fixture and already a game clear in second spot, McNear was pleased with their work to date but was clear that they still have areas to tidy up in the run home.

“I am feeling really positive about how the season has unfolded so far,” she said.

“I am so proud of all the girls, there’s been a strong sense of growth within the group. The work we put in last year around our team culture is really showing on the court and we’ve been able to build consistency in our performances.

Captain Nicole Hunt has had a stellar season to date, scoring 379 goals so far. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“While there’s always room to improve, I am proud of how we’ve positioned ourselves heading into the final stretch, given we have had a few injury setbacks over the season.

“Being a game clear in second shows that we’ve been able to stay focused and deliver under pressure. But we’re also very aware that every week counts from here — there’s still a lot to play for.

“We’re always striving to tighten up defensively — making sure we’re not giving away easy chances. Our transition game can still get sharper, especially against top teams who punish turnovers. We’ve set high standards, and now it’s about maintaining them every quarter of every game.”