Tasmanian Netball League live stream: Kingston Blues take on Cavaliers in Opens preliminary final

The Blues’ giantkilling finals run is over after Cavaliers showed a touch of class in their preliminary final win. Next up, a rematch with Northern Hawks in the decider. See the 19/U and Opens REPLAYS.

Cavaliers have ended Kingston Blues’ giantkilling finals Tasmanian Netball League finals run with a 60-41 preliminary final victory.

It sets up another shot at Launceston rivals and competition big guns Northern Hawks in the grand final next Saturday.

There was no real hint of an upset in this one once Cavaliers jumped out to a 16-7 quarter time lead.

A last-second goal gave the Blues the second quarter 14-13, but they were never closer than seven goals behind as Cavaliers ran away with the second half.

Hawks v Cripps Waratah (U19) - Tasmanian Netball League preliminary finals

Due to issues beyond our control, we missed the first half of the 19/U clash between Hawks and Cripps. We apologise for the inconvenience and, unfortunately, will be unable to produce a replay of it.

PREVIEW

Kingston playmaker Lucy Bosker will be the centre of attention for Cavaliers as they look to bounce back in Saturday’s Tasmanian Netball League preliminary final at the Silverdome.

After failing to find their best in a 57-51 qualifying final loss to the Hawks, the Cavaliers need to try and ensure a rematch of last year’s grand final the hard way after the Blues shocked Cripps Waratah 51-41 in the knockout final.

Bosker only played limited minutes in the team’s last clash in round eight, where the Cavs recovered from a five-goal quarter time deficit to prevail 57-52.

The Opens preliminary final, and the U19s clash between Hawks and Cripps, will be shown LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Kommunity TV.

Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Cavs skipper and centre Shelby Miller will likely have the job of shutting down Bosker, a key factor as they attempt to book another all-Launceston decider.

“I normally match up on Lucy, she’s definitely the playmaker of their team and runs the attack end,” Miller said.

Kingston midcourter Lucy Bosker. Picture: Linda Higginson.

“She was out the last time we’ve played them, she’ll make a big difference.

“Kingston will be a very different game plan, they’ve got a shorter and faster attacking end.

“They don’t play a holding shooter or anything like that, it’s a totally different defensive game to what we’d play against the Cripps or Hawks.”

Cavs co-coach Katie O’Neill said getting off to a quicker start, especially with their season on the line, has been a major focus of their preparation.

“We’ve beaten them both times we’ve played them, but it doesn’t mean a lot coming into a final,” she said.

“We’ve looked at what worked really well last time we played them. We did have a slow start, we’ve looked at why that was and what we need to do to shut them down.

“One of their key players is Lucy Bosker in the midcourt, she’s one of their biggest playmakers, so matching up on her and trying to shut her down as much as possible will probably be one of the keys.

Paige O'Neill (front, fourth from left), Ellie Marshall (front, fifth from left) and Charlotte Walker (back, fifth from left) are training with Adelaide Thunderbirds.

“They’ve got some good defenders who like to make a fly at some balls. It’s about making sure we shorten things up and not give them too many balls they can come hunting for.

“It’s not going to be an easy game this weekend, coming off a win against Cripps they’ll be on a massive high.”

Katie’s daughter and Cavs defender Paige O’Neill won’t return to Launceston until Friday night after spending this week training with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in a partnership Netball Tasmania wants to build long term.

Hawk Ellie Marshall and Devon’s Charlotte Walker were also invited to take part.

Miller said she’s enjoyed the challenge of helping O’Neill and fellow young defender Lily Case assimilate to greater responsibility this season.

“I’ve had such an enjoyable year with the girls. Having the young girls step up into defence has been fantastic, and the team culture is great with honest feedback and communication.”