MUCH like the Sanson family at Lavington, the Merediths have never been afraid to roll up their sleeves and do their bit. Nick and Sarah are two of the Ovens and Murray's elite players while younger brother Connor plays reserves for the Panthers. Their mother, Leanne, has been a long-time netball coach and father, Darren, has been on the committee for a decade. Nick, Sarah and Connor spoke to The Border Mail's BRETT KOHLHAGEN this week about life at the Panthers and lost tooth brushes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
BRETT KOHLHAGEN: Sarah, you are the eldest sibling and I'm told by a reliable family source that you don't take any rubbish from your brothers Nick and Connor. Is that true?
SARAH: Definitely, they are both scared of me. They always have been.
BK: Is that right Nick and Connor?
NICK: She's choked me out a few times. She dislocated her thumb on my neck once.
CONNOR: She's the boss for sure.
BK: Do Nick and Connor come and watch your netball much at Lavington?
SARAH: No, I've seen Connor there, but Nicholas never. When he had a girlfriend playing he did a few times but that's about it.
BK: Why not boys?
NICK: You have to walk up a hill to get there (laughs). I'd just rather watch footy to be honest.
CONNOR: I don't mind watching the grand final.
BK: 2015 was a huge year for you Sarah and Nick. Winning Lavington's A grade netball and senior football best and fairests on the same night must have been a proud moment for your family?
SARAH: It was really cool. I'd rate it right up there with anything I've achieved. The premiership was great in 2013 but it was nice to win a best and fairest with Nick.
NICK: It was good fun. I think Sarah was probably always going to win but it was pretty close between myself and 'Sharpy' and I got a bit lucky.
BK: Where does the sporting ability come from?
CONNOR: I missed out (laughs).
SARAH: Dad was a good sprinter and Mum was a good hockey player.
NICK: Dad just liked fighting everyone when he played footy.
BK: Sarah, you were 14 when made your A grade debut for Lavington. At 28, does that seem like a long time ago?
SARAH: It has gone fast. Touch wood, I've been so lucky with injuries. I haven't really had any at all so hopefully that continues.
BK: How did the Meredith family find its way to Lavington?
SARAH: We moved from Norris Park to Lyne Street and Mum didn't like driving us so we rode to school and training. I was the oldest and trialed at North Albury and Lavington. Jodie House was coaching at Lavington at the time and spoke to Mum. She said she saw a bit of potential in me and it went from there. The boys followed on from that I guess.
NICK: We went to Lavington Public School too so it worked out well.
BK: How much has Ovens and Murray netball changed since you started?
SARAH: The pace has definitely gone up. The training has become a lot more tailored to netball with the Fast5 and things like that. Coaches are adapting and learning all the time. We are no longer running 5km, we are doing 1km time trials which is more tailored to the way we need to play.
BK: Who's been your toughest opponent in the past 14 years?
SARAH: Yarra has always produced really stronger shooters. Steph Tyrell, who made the Team of the Past 25 Years, was always really tough to play on. I'm lucky I don't have to play on our shooters with people like Sarah Senini. She's a gun.
BK: Nick, you left Lavington after a break-out 2015 season to go to Werribee. How did that unfold?
NICK: I think they came and had a look at the grand final when we lost to Albury. Mick Richards went down to Werribee the same year to help with the training so it was good to have a familiar face at the club. John Lamont was coaching, he was a real character.
BK: How would you compare the VFL to the Ovens and Murray?
NICK: Probably just the commitment level. It's the same game just a step up. It's semi-professional. The VFL boys are just a bit faster, stronger and fitter.
BK: You lived with a few Ovens and Murray boys too didn't you?
NICK: Yeah, living with Jake Sharp and Matt Munro was good fun. 'Muns' was a little child while we called 'Sharpy' dad. He is really mature for his age. He's a good dude.
BK: Ever try and get Jake to Lavington?
NICK: We always joked and had a bit of banter about it. He's Myrtleford through and through though. He probably tried more to get me to Myrtleford to be honest.
BK: Lavington has had a few heart-breaking finals misses in the footy and netball over the years. Does that drive you?
NICK: I'm still haunted by 2015 against Albury. We should have won that year, we had our chances. I just want to win one and then I'll retire.
SARAH: We have been in three grand finals since 2013 and haven't been able to get over the line. We have lost a few late games this year but I think we will get it together before the finals. We've made a few adjustments because of injury and I think we will be OK.
BK: Nick, Lavi is sitting on top of the ladder with three rounds remaining. You must be quietly confident?
NICK: I think we have the cattle this year. We need the young blokes to step up and I think they will.
Actually mum always encouraged us to play hockey as kids, especially Nicholas and I, but we hated it. We did Minkey as kids and gave it away as quick as we could
- Sarah Meredith
BK: How have you found Simon Curtis as coach?
NICK: He's good. He's almost the polar opposite to 'Sakes' (James Saker). He's more free-flowing and less structured game while 'Sakes' was more about defence and structures. I sort of liked Sakes' style better as it suited my game but you adjust to 'Simmo's' game and it's more fun.
BK: And Connor, you are getting a lot of the credit for getting Shaun Mannagh back to Lavi from North Albury. Tell us about that?
CONNOR: We grew up together. I've been trying to get him for six years since he left. I joked that I wasn't going to play if he didn't sign. We went through high school together and were in the same group. Shaun's been great for the club on and off the field. He's a ripping bloke.
BK: How's your footy going?
CONNOR: I'm really enjoying it in the Lavington seconds. I've virtually had four years off because of injuries and giving it away for a while. It's awesome to be back playing again.
BK: At 21, I guess you have aspirations to play senior footy with Nick?
CONNOR: I do, but at the moment I'm just enjoying playing for the first time in a long time. Rather than aiming for seniors, I'm just enjoying it.
NICK: He's enjoying not doing the work (laughs).
SARAH: And enjoying the KFC (laughs).
BK: Sarah, your mum Leanne has done a lot of netball coaching at senior and junior level. How big an influence has she been on your sport?
IN OTHER NEWS:
SARAH: She's been huge. Actually mum always encouraged us to play hockey as kids, especially Nicholas and I, but we hated it. We did Minkey and gave it away as quick as we could.
BK: Finally, what annoyed you most about each other as kids?
SARAH: They used to hide their tooth brushes from me as I used to lose mine. I have a photo of their tooth brushes hidden above the mirror.
NICK: Connor and I used to have some good punch ups.
CONNOR: He broke his finger on my head before school one day. Mum was really shitty with him because he hit me so he went to school with a broken hand. We did have some good punch ups.
BK: It sounds like there's never a dull moment in the Meredith household. Thanks for your time.