Hampden FNL Netball is back — and Round 1 didn’t disappoint, kicking off the 2025 season with high energy, tight contests, and a whole lot of excitement.
In the game of the round, Terang Mortlake emerged victorious in a thriller against arch-rival Camperdown, edging past by a single goal in a contest that had supporters on the edge of their seats. The match proved once again why this rivalry is one of the league’s best.
South Warrnambool and Koroit, last season’s grand finalists, both began their 2025 campaigns in strong fashion, notching up impressive wins. Meanwhile, the North Warrnambool Eagles were made to work hard in a tough clash against a spirited and revamped Port Fairy outfit, eventually claiming the four points. Warrnambool flexed their muscle with a dominant performance against Hamilton, showing they’ll be a serious force to be reckoned with this year.
One of the most exciting elements of the round was the emergence of fresh young talent. Rising stars Charlotte Smedts (North Warrnambool), Edie Batt (Koroit), and Maya Rhodes (South Warrnambool) all made their senior debuts and looked right at home on the big stage. It’s thrilling to see the next generation stepping up and making an immediate impact — the future of HFNL netball is in great hands.
Adding to the excitement, the HFNL is incredibly proud to see Indi O’Connor (Koroit) preparing to represent Victoria in the U17 team over the coming week. Indi is an exceptional talent with elite attributes — athletic, smart, composed — and there’s no doubt she has what it takes to go a long way in the sport. The entire league will be cheering her on as she dons the Big V.
In more fantastic news for junior development, the HFNL this week announced its Association Championships junior squads, with players selected to represent the league at the Western Zone Qualifiers in June. The depth and quality across all squads is outstanding, and expectations are high for strong performances.
HFNL 2025 Association Championships Junior Squads
U13 Squad
- Ava Gleeson – Koroit
- Molly McNeil – South Warrnambool
- Ellie Dobson – Koroit
- Viv Smedts – North Warrnambool
- Summer Stone – Portland Tigers
- Leni Robertson – Hamilton Kangaroos
- Sibella Evans – South Warrnambool
- Elky Veale – South Warrnambool
- Indi Cuomo – Koroit
- Sophie Byrne – South Warrnambool
- Abigail Sinnott – Camperdown
- Essi Myers – Camperdown
- Stella Hinds – Camperdown
- Charlotte Dean – Cobden
- Nina Roll – Hamilton Kangaroos
- Chloe Castle – Camperdown
- Mali Maskell – Camperdown
- Hannah Ragg – South Warrnambool
- Imogen Barr – Terang Mortlake
- Grace Hester – Cobden
Training Partners:
Austyn McInerney, Greta Greene, Lexi Harrison (Koroit)
Edie Molan (Camperdown)
U15 Championship Team
- Maddi-Lyse Stone – Portland
- Kiara Love – Camperdown
- Molly Sevior – Hamilton Kangaroos
- Charlotte Smedts – North Warrnambool
- Madelyn Clark – Terang Mortlake
- Lucy Howland – Warrnambool
- Sophie Smith – South Warrnambool
- Maddox Ryan – Hamilton Kangaroos
- Edie Batt – Koroit
- Poppy Monk – Koroit
- Rushleigh Jeffries – Warrnambool
- Maddi Lucas – Camperdown
U15 Reserves Team
- Sophie Brown – South Warrnambool
- Mackenzie Dillon – Terang Mortlake
- Isabel Divall – South Warrnambool
- Zoe Dobson – Koroit
- Esther Gleeson – Koroit
- Lilly Harris – South Warrnambool
- Chloe Kermeen – South Warrnambool
- Ava Kinnealy – Hamilton Kangaroos
- Harper McInerney – Koroit
- Gracie Piergrosse – Portland Tigers
- Ruby Spong – Hamilton Kangaroos
Training Partners:
Elsie Brown, Lexie Thomas (Hamilton Kangaroos)
Olive Wills (Camperdown)
Ayda Wiseman (Portland)
U17 Team
- Elsie Sinnott – Camperdown
- Indianna Cameron – Camperdown
- Chloe Gleeson – Koroit
- Piper Stephens – Camperdown
- Sienna Stone – Portland
- Hannah O’Keefe – Koroit
- Lara Clarke – Terang Mortlake
- Maya Rhodes – South Warrnambool
- Shelby O’Sullivan – Koroit
- Indi O’Connor – Koroit
- Saskia Gould – Hamilton Kangaroos
Training Partners:
Kirra Beardsley (Port Fairy)
Lyla Grundy (Terang Mortlake)
Ruby McKinley, Saylah Veale (South Warrnambool)
