Lots of news on the Hampden Netball Scene this week:
Netball Coaching appointments for 2025
- South Warrnambool reappointing Will Jamieson as the Open Netball coach for 2025. Early appoints are always pleasing for clubs and this appointment allows the open South Warrnambool team and Will himself to focus on what’s to come for the remainder of the year.
- Cobden has appointed Nadine McNamara as the Open coach for 2025. Nadine has a strong history at the Bombers as both a player, coach and netball Coordinator. This early appoint also allows Cobden to focus on another tilt at the silverware in 2024.
- Portland have reappointed Laura Kelly as the Open Coach for 2025. Looking at the impact Laura has on the team, takeaway wins and losses, the engagement and respect from the players says a lot about Laura’s character.
- Portland will focus on finishing the 2024 strongly and start to resign players and begin recruitment for the 2025 season.
State Squad Selections:
Congratulations:
Indi O’Connor (Koroit), Shelby O’Sullivan (Koroit) Ruby McKinley (South Warrnambool) and Piper Stephens (Camperdown have all made the 50-player squad to begin the process for state selection in the under 17 state side for 2025
Eva Ryan (Warrnambool) has made the 50-player squad for the under 19’s. selection process.
A feather in the caps of all the junior coaches & clubs involved in these young players development. The selection process begins with the Association Championships early rounds TID scouts are at these events.
Netball Milestone:
Carly Watson celebrates her 150th Open game this weekend. So many words to describe Carly on the netball court but perhaps South put it best “ dynamic, athletic, agile defender ! ”
Carly has won multiple premierships, a League Best & Fairest, various club honours and has represented the league at Association Championship from a junior to an open player.
All the best for the big game this weekend and congratulations on your netball career so far.
Young Ava Grundy will play her 50th Open Game for Terang/Mortlake this weekend. Amazing achievement for an 18-year-old. Congratulations Ava and all the best in your future netball career.
Last week
Again, the netball last week was played in wet and windy conditions, Cobden had a comfortable win over Camperdown, Terang/Mortlake got home in a tight tussle against the Seagulls. Koroit bought the 4 points back to Victoria Park and North Warrnambool jumped into 3rd position on the ladder with their win over Hamilton.
Rounds 15 Games
The forecast suggests games in round 15 will be played in ideal conditions for clashes that will show us how the up coming finals may play out.
Warrnambool travel to Hanlon Park to take on the Portland Tigers. Although the Tigers are a settled side now, I believe the Blues will get the win and keep their hope alive for finishing top 3.
Camperdown welcome the Seagulls to the Laura Oval; both these sides have become more concise in their match play however I think the young magpies will win this game with a little to spare.
The match at the DC Farran Oval between Terang/Mortlake and the Hamilton Kangaroo’s will be tight with the Bloods gaining the points.
The Koroit Saints take on the North Warrnambool Eagles both wanting 3rd place.
When these two teams met in round 6 it was a runaway victory to the Eagles.
I know both sides will be missing players with Mermaid commitments so both coaches will be working the benches to cover player availability .
The Saints know if they can get the points they will be back in 3rd place this is a big incentive, the Eagles have Skye Billings back on the court after missing a few weeks and I believe this will give the Eagles a lift and is enough for me to tip them in this encounter.
South Warrnambool take on the Cobden, it will be interesting to see if the Bombers can narrow the gap on the highly fancied South side. Last time the sides met South prevailed by 7 goals. This game will be a cracker with some great individual contests.
The Finch sisters against Gen O’Connor and Eli Melbourne, the young star in Lara Taylor taking on the talented Ally O’Connor? South Warrnambool’s combination of shooters lead by Emma Buwalda will be difficult for Cobden’s defenders.
I have seen Cobden play twice in the last couple of weeks and they are on the up. However, after much thought I have gone with South their midcourt is full of stars, with Carly Watson, Issy Rae and Meg Kelson.
