2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Gippsland Stars v Hawks Netball, Round 10

The Hawks continued to stake their claims for VNL premiership favouritism with another impressive win over Gippsland Power on Wednesday night. Watch the REPLAY here.

A dominating second-quarter performance powered the Hawks to a strong 26 goal win over Gippsland Power on Wednesday night.

The Hawks looked extra impressive post the first break, outscoring the Power 20-7 in the second-term, before eventually walking away 61-35 victors in the round 10 clash.

CATCH THE CHAMPIONSHIP REPLAY ABOVE AND 23&U BELOW

Off-season recruit Ash Mawer did the majority of the damage with a 35-goal performance while fellow shooter Jessica Tetley provided a nice cameo role with 15.

The Hawks didn’t slow down after halftime, continuing their domination with a 27-18 second-half to further enhance their VNL premiership credentials.

It took their season tally to 10-2 with AJ Ballantyne’s side shaping as a real contender despite introducing a host of new players into the side over the off-season.

In the 23&U clash, it was also the Hawks that walked away 67-42 winners over Gippsland.

REPLAY

Gippsland Stars v Hawks Netball (23&U) – 2025 Victorian Netball League Round 10

PREVIEW

The Hawks may have relinquished premiership favouritism when it comes to defending their 23&U title, but the emergence of new talent – including one “weapon” upfront – has breathed new life into the reigning premiers season.

After clinching last year’s inaugural 23&Us title, the Hawks turned to a quartet of recruits and several of their own 19&Us, to rebuild their roster after several premiership players made the jump up to championship.

Currently fourth with a 5-3-1 record, and fresh off a draw against fellow top-four side Bendigo Strikers on Sunday, the Hawks will look to cement their top-six standing against fledgling franchise Gippsland Stars on Wednesday night.

Both the 23&U and Championship matches will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 7pm.

They will then face ladder-leaders North Easte Blaze in a highly anticipated grand final rematch in round 11.

Stabilising the Hawks’ line-up is much-needed leadership in each of their thirds, with returning midcourter and captain Kaila Swindell, goal attack Keeley Burgmann and defender Emma Storey providing vital support for their new teammates.

“It’s gone back to working around the basics, and executing in units around different combinations and players,” Hawks premiership coach Monique Lenehan-Moustafa said.

“It’s been good, throughout the season we’ve been building … and we see the players take on that feedback.”

One recruit quickly making a name for herself is Dakota Blade.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Hawks from North East Blaze in search of opportunity at 23&U level, has offered a strong target in the circle – the goal shooter averaging 26.5 goals a game, at 89.85 per cent efficiency.

Dakota Blade playing for the Hawks in the Victorian Netball League (VNL) during round 7 of the 2025 season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

Against the Strikers on Sunday, Blade sank 35 goals at a remarkable 97 per cent.

“All facets of Dakota are amazing – she’s a lovely person, a hardworking player, has a lot of drive and determination to want to do well,” Lenehan-Moustafa said.

“She’s just been such a weapon down in the goal circle with her strength and confidence to take in the ball and work with the variety of goalers we have.”

Blade, who first started her netball at Diamond Creek, has embraced the move to Hawks, as she works to add greater movement to her game and strengthen her drives and role within the circle as the Hawks’ central target.

“I’ve been loving it, (a) brand new team and all the girls have been really great,” Blade said.

“I like the challenge (of 23&U) and I think the competition is really good for my development as a player.

“I think we’ve all really grown as a team and been able to bond really well and play well together.”

Supporting Blade in the goaling circle is Allie Davidson and Burgmann.

“They’re both absolute brilliant players, Allie’s really accurate and Keeley’s just really direct and strong there in the circle,” Blade said.

Davidson – a midcourter for Victoria at last month’s nationals titles- continues to show her versatility stepping into goals for Hawks, the 17-year-old another scoring threat shooting above 80 per cent.

Also joining the Hawks in the off-season was Davidson’s Victorian 17&U teammate Sienna De La Sota, who crosses from Peninsula Waves.

Sienna De La Sota playing for the Hawks in the Victorian Netball League (VNL) during round 7 of the 2025 season. Picture: Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria.

“She’s just been a great little pocket rocket, (a) speedy asset,” Lenehan-Moustafa said of the wing attack.

“(You) saw it a lot during her campaign at nationals, and she’s just been going from strength to strength as a midcourter.”

The elevation of five of last year’s 23&U premiership players has appeared to strengthen Hawks’ championship prospects, the AJ Ballantyne-coached squad 7-2 in third after comfortably beating fourth-placed Bendigo on Sunday.

The Hawks’ only losses have come against top-two City West Falcons and Boroondara Express, with the likes of Sienna Green, Georgie O’Brien and Olivia Barnett all stepping up.

“It makes me really proud that they’ve been able to move up and have success as individual players but also alongside a brand new team of players that they haven’t had an opportunity to work with before,” Lenehan-Moustafa said of her former 23&U players.

“It’s great to see our program is working, and developing and building players for preparedness to execute and excel in that championship environment.”

Originally published as 2025 Victorian Netball League live stream: Gippsland Stars v Hawks Netball, Round 10