Victorian Netball League 2025 live stream: Boroondara Express v Geelong Cougars, Round 8

The Geelong Cougars were always going to have their work cut out against title contenders Boroondara Express. See how they fared in the C’ship and 23&Under. Watch both REPLAYS.

A spirited Geelong Cougars have suffered a sixth consecutive defeat after running into a well-drilled Boroondara Express at the State Netball Centre on Wednesday night.

The Cougars’ intent could not be questioned, but they simply didn’t have the measure of their well-credentialled rivals, going down 57-43.

REPLAYS

Boroondara Express v Geelong Cougars (Championship)

Full replay in the player above.

Boroondara Express v Geelong Cougars (23 and under)

Determined to consolidate their place in the top four, the Express quickly established a substantial lead, which they held throughout despite the Cougars having their moments.

Just when Geelong would appear to be getting back into the contest, the Express would raise the tempo and quickly retrieve the ground surrendered.

It was pretty much like that following Express building an 11-point lead early in the second quarter.

And that could only be attributed to connection between goal shooter Isabelle Hodgson and goal attack Ruby Barkmeyer, who just have an amazing understanding of each other’s game.

Hodgson finished with 25 goals, while Barkmayer managed a game-high 30 as they kept the scoreboard ticking over despite the pressing Cougars.

Hardly disgraced, the Cougars will take positives out of the contest, but it was always going to be difficult caught in the Express lane last night.

Slow out of the blocks, Boroondara Express have regrouped to run over the top of Geelong Cougars in their 23&Under encounter.

It could have been more too, as they racked up many opportunities in the last quarter on their way to a rousing 59-51 victory, their third of the season.

Goal attack Ally Black was instrumental in setting up the win, particularly in the final quarter.

Her exquisite ball use made life very easy for fellow scorers Sahara Ball and Henrietta Donoghue, who capitalised on some superb passing to sink everything that came their way.

But it could have been much different after the Cougars lifted their workrate in the third quarter when trailing by a goal at halftime (30-29).

Geelong even established a three-goal lead before Express reduced the deficit to a one-goal as they turned for home.

But from there it was clear that Express would have their measure as they stormed to a memorable victory.

PREVIEW

Geelong Cougars head coach Gerard Murphy is confident finals are still in play amid a five-game losing streak for his championship squad.

Murphy said the Victorian Netball League’s change from a top four to six this season helped the Cougars’ cause, as they attempt to arrest their downward form against perennial grand finalist Boroondara Express at the State Netball Centre on Wednesday night.

Both the Championship and 23 & U clashes between the two clubs will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV.

The Cougars, who missed out on finals last season by percentage alone, started 2025 brightly with two wins but have since fallen down the table to ninth after defeats to Gippsland Stars, Casey Demons, City West Falcons, Hawks and Bendigo Strikers.

Murphy believed most of those fixtures had been winnable, but conceded inconsistency between quarters, as well as within his playing squad, had been their downfall.

“We were good against the Hawks for the half then had too many errors in the third … then against Bendigo last week it was the first quarter,” Murphy said.

“Everything else from there was pretty good, just too many errors and missed goals in that first … we didn’t adjust fast enough.”

A handful of Cougars have been carrying injuries, forcing them to either miss matches or have their playing time managed.

Cougars recruit Alahria Smith is set to face off against her former club on Wednesday night. Picture: Grant Treeby/NV

Among those is new recruit Alahria Smith, who missed a fixture after suffering a knock to her kidney against Gippsland.

The midcourter has returned in recent rounds ahead of a highly anticipated first match-up against her former club Express, who in turn, now boast former longtime Cougars goaler Zanna Woods.

“She’s (Smith) building in nicely with the combination with Emma (Bulwalda) and Ally (O’Connor) and Charlotte (Morey) when she’s able and rotating in,” Murphy said.

Meanwhile, the likes of midcourter O’Connor and goalers Daisy O’Kane and Elisa Hall have all missed multiple games.

The Cougars have turned to Carly Sanders over the past fortnight to fill a role in goals, as they try to find consistency within their attack.

“It’s just normal challenges, and we haven’t been able to overcome that yet,” Murphy said.

“Part of the issue is the connection isn’t there (and) strong enough – we’re missing goals and we’re not able to lock down into some consistent patterns.”

Shooter Daisy O'Kane is another to have missed matches for Geelong this season. Picture: Grant Treeby/NV

Murphy believed Express had few weak links, but was confident both teams matched up well against each other height-wise.

Meanwhile, Geelong’s 23-and-unders will also look to return to the winners list against Express in round 8.

The Cougars’ 23 & Us suffered just their second loss of the season against Bendigo Strikers last week, by four goals, after winning five straight between rounds two and six.

They sit firmly a game clear in fourth.

“They’re hitting some decent form together,” Murphy said.

“The midcourt and defence is pretty well established so it’s just the shooter-goal attack combo change.

“Eliza (Dunell) and Monique (Parker), this is their second season together now, with Indi (O’Connor) and Charlize (Bellette) working in nicely.”

Originally published as Victorian Netball League 2025 live stream: Boroondara Express v Geelong Cougars, Round 8