THE Victorian Netball League (VNL) announced its squad lists yesterday, with just one month to go until Round 1.
Reigning champions Geelong Cougars have signed their 2019 Best and Fairest and VNL’s 2019 MVP Julia Woolley, whose experience over her netball career will be a great asset to their goal circle. At the other end of the court will be Brooke Allan. Despite having yet to make her SSN debut, the Magpies training partner has a great skill of holding her own, and a talent to create pressure against the shooters in the ring.
Making a return to netball, former Australian Diamonds captain Sharni Layton has been named in the Peninsula Waves squad. Layton’s netball accolades are extensive, with 46 international caps, two gold medals, and ANZ and International Player of the year in 2016 and 2017. Pursuing a career with the Collingwood Magpies AFLW team in 2018, Layton’s football skills may come in handy her with defensive skills, being awarded with AFLW All Australian Ruck in 2020.
The Casey Demons have also signed some notable names in their 2021 squad, including Melbourne Vixens squad members Tayla Honey and Sacha McDonald, along with Magpies training partner Emma Ryde.
Having played with the Vixens during the 2020 season, Honey will provide the Demons with a reliable, agile midcourter, complimented with McDonald as a wing attack or as a shooter.
Ryde’s strong hold has proven her to be a powerhouse under the ring. Having gained valuable court time during the 2020 SSN season, Ryde has had the mentoring of Nat Medhurst and has played alongside Shimona Nelson and Gabrielle Sinclair, giving her a great advantage coming into the season.
Considered the most successful team in the VNL with 14 premierships to their name, the City West Falcons have named Sri Lankan veteran netball player Tharjini Sivalingam on their squad. The 42-year-old is considered the tallest netballer in the world, standing at 206 centimetres. Height like that is going to be extremely beneficial at either end of the court, which is where Sivalingam finds herself.
Others to keep an eye out for throughout the 2021 season consist of Collingwood training partner Nyah Allen who has signed on with North East Blaze, Maggie Lind and Sarah Szcyzkulski from the Falcons and Nat Billings who has become a staple under the post for the Hawks.
Set to begin on 21 April with a clash between the Cougars and the Falcons, it is shaping up to be a great season ahead.
Fonua has strong eyes on the international prize
SPORT was never on Lupe Fonua’s radar. Now it’s her whole life. Only picking up a netball at eight years-old, Fonua has taken big strides in the game. “I wasn’t raised on sport, but I found love for it,” she told Rookie Me Central. “My friends were actually playing when I was younger. So I […]
2025 VNL fixture revealed
IT MAY not even be the end of the 2024 calendar year yet, but Netball Victoria is already looking towards next season after releasing the 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) fixture yesterday. The 2025 campaign will host an 18-round home and away season before a four-week finals series. Round 1 is scheduled to begin on […]
Bethune’s bad luck breaks after triple knee burden
IT TOOK six years of hard work, determination and passion for April Bethune to even get a taste of the Victorian Netball League (VNL). At just 16-years-old, Bethune encountered her first obstacle. She was in the middle of tryouts for state and was preparing for VNL tryouts while playing A-grade. Bethune had ruptured her left […]
Fauonuku overcomes illness to nail nationals
IN A cruel twist of fate, illness came at the worst possible time for Amalani Fauonuku ahead of a national tournament. In what was nearly a nationals campaign to forget, Fauonuku persevered and overcame the illness to thrive across the event. The Saturday night before leaving for Frankston earlier this year, the 16-year-old was struck […]
Broken leg didn’t break Hoey’s dreams
FLYING to another state to represent your state to win a title. Getting to wear the navy blue dress of Victoria. Charli Hoey went half way through the tournament dominating the competition, until a leg injury caused a strenuous amount of harm. Hoey was diagnosed with bone bruising during the tournament which ended her nationals […]
Sharp shooter taking advantage of opportunities
YOU would think being 5’10 would be tall. In general yes, but this day in the age of netball, that is seen as being on the shorter side, especially as a shooter. Nowadays you see 6 ‘5 shooters like Grace Nweke, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Caitlin Bassett. Jess Tetley has figured out how to turn her […]
Country star Lavis takes major leaps to get a taste of SSN
TRAVELLING from Victoria-New South Wales border into Melbourne multiple times a week would take a toll on any person. Numerous hours in the car, training for two hours, then having to drive back. It’s an endless cycle. Mia Lavis has learnt to adapt to that being from the country town of Howlong, but she appreciates […]
Charlotte Sexton’s dreams are becoming a reality
“I WANT to make Suncorp Super Netball, not sure how many years I’m off doing that, but hopefully a training partner role is the next step.” Little did Charlotte Sexton know, that statement would soon become a reality. Sexton was announced as one of the five training partners with the Melbourne Vixens for the 2025 […]
Lightning strikes twice for Hobson
IMAGINE going in for a routine scan to see how your body is holding up and being told you had no ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Being told that the previous surgery you had five years ago wasn’t performed correctly. Being told you had to have a corrective surgery right when you were climbing up ever […]
