Ovens and Murray netball 2021: gains, losses and prospects

Coach: Sarah Moore.

2019: 5^th.

Gains: Kristen Andrews, Ashlea Jacobs (Thurgoona), Karina Cameron (back from injury), Paige McMillan, Sarah Mellington (Raiders).

Losses: Justine Willis (travelling), Rebekah Ohlin (Tallangatta), Jess Garland (Yackandandah), Georgia Miller (injured), Lauren Coelli.

Stronger than 12 months ago? "I think in our midcourt we certainly will be stronger with the addition of some new players. We're probably on par in defence, and our shooting is just a whole new combination. We lost Jess (Garland) last year, so Paige and Sarah will be a totally different dynamic. Bolstering that attack we also have Skye Hillier who will feature at some stage in the year. I'd say we'd be stronger," Moore said.

Coaches comment: "I'm just really excited to see the season go ahead this year. When you haven't had netball for 12 months, you miss games on Saturdays and that team environment. Some of them did pre-season last year and didn't get to put on the yellow and black to play their first game, so I get chills just thinking about it. They'll finally get to feel like a Tiger," Moore said.

COROWA-RUTHERGLEN

Coach: Georgie Bruce.

2019: 2nd (first after regular season).

Gains: Keisha McLean (Ariah Park), Leah Keating (returning to the club).

Losses: Bec Duryea.

Stronger than 12 months ago? "I think we will be. We've now had the experience of playing finals in 2019 and have another year under our belt. I think we'll be stronger and wiser on court," Bruce said.

Coaches comment: "We're just really excited to be all back together as a playing group and to be having the opportunity again to compete in the wonderful season that the Ovens and Murray League offers," Bruce said.

LAVINGTON

Coach: Catherine Wood.

2019: 4^th (3^rd after regular season).

Gains: Maddy Plunkett (former Albury-Wodonga Bandit), Grace Hay (moving up through grades), Courtney Hillier (Wodonga Raiders), Ellen Williams (returning).

Losses: None.

Stronger than 12 months ago? "I think we will be. We've definitely got the same core team but we've just added some strength and youth. Maddy brings in a different advantage with her height and Grace is just incredible in the defensive end. She's really come a long way and is exciting to watch," Wood said.

Coaches comment: "I'm really looking forward to what our team can put on the court this season. After having last season off, we didn't really get to see what our team was capable of. This year it'll be really good to see how far we can go," Wood said.

MYRTLEFORD SAINTS

Coach: Tina Way.

2019: 8^th.

Gains: Jane Erbacher (Melbourne), Rhiannon Mcilroy (returning).

Losses: None.

Stronger than 12 months ago? "Our list is almost the same, so I'd like to think we'd be maintaining the strength that we already had," Way said.

Coaches comment: "The Myrtleford Saints' 2021 squad is really looking forward to playing some netball again. It's been a long 18 months since everyone's had a game and we just can't wait to get back on the court and see what we can do," Way said.

NORTH ALBURY

Coach: Fiona Boyer.

2019: 7^th.

Gains: Emily Browne, Jamie Sandilands (Rutherglen Cats), Molly Goldsworthy (returning to the club).

Losses: No losses.

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Stronger than 12 months ago? "We will be stronger as a club after having a season of no netball. Our attitude, strength and desire are qualities that we have grown and we're excited to demonstrate that," Boyer said.

Coaches comment: "At North Albury we pride ourselves on the juniors we bring through the senior teams and are again excited about the opportunities that will present for these girls to play in higher grades, particularly A-grade," Boyer said.

WANGARATTA MAGPIES

Coach: Kellie Keen.

2019: Premiers.

Gains: Grace Patterson (King Valley) Emily Neilson (returning to the club).

Losses: Amelia Reilly (university).

Stronger than 12 months ago? "After having 18 months off netball, it's hard to tell how people will be coming back. They'll be 18 months older and that much more experienced, but after not playing it's hard to say. We'll have to wait and see," Keen said.

Coaches comment: "Who would have thought that we would have no netball for 12 months? It's a good opportunity for some players to come back after some time out. I think they're all just wanting to get back on the court," Keen said.

WANGARATTA ROVERS

Coach: Noel Halton.

2019: 9^th.

Gains: Lacey Paaka (Mooroopna), Katy Pryor, Millie Mathewson, Carly Perso, Mikaela Trethowan (missed playing first seasons last year).

Losses: Briony Simpson (taking season off).

Stronger than 12 months ago? "I think with our right combinations on the court we'll be just as strong as we could have been last season. We've got some really exciting young defenders," Halton said.

Coaches comment: "After the year we had in 2020, it's just exciting to be back and playing netball. We've got an exciting young squad with a good mixture of experience as well, so we'll see how we go," Halton said.

WODONGA BULLDOGS

Coach: Sally Anthony.

2019: 10^th.

Gains: Molly McCarty (Tallangatta), Steph Ackland (Mitta United), Sarah Cardwell, Lyndal Hildebrand, Kylie Murphy (all returning to the club), Hannah Pole (Corryong), Skye Allan (Wodonga Saints), Leah Mathey.

Losses: Jess Barton, Abi Adams (university).

Stronger than 12 months ago? "Yes. We've picked up some mature and experienced players and we have such athletic and dynamic younger players, so it's going to be a very nice mixture," Anthony said.

Coaches comment: "I think everyone is just eager to get back out on the netball court this season. Because we're still developing and are such a young club, we have young players who are keen to see what Ovens and Murray netball is all about. The club's in good shape," Anthony said.

WODONGA RAIDERS

Coach: Jodie House.

2019: 6^th.

Gains: Charli Conway (under-16s), Julia Clarke (Bendigo), Keely Bond (Cobram), Renae Larkin (Griffith), Georgie Haines, Ellie Gleeson, Georgia Way, Lucy Way (missed playing first season last year).

Losses: No losses.

Stronger than 12 months ago? "I feel like we'll have good strength in our team, it's just a matter of finding our feet with new players in the mix. I think the skill and ability of the players is as good, if not better," House said.

Coaches comment: "I think it's fabulous to see the girls training with the really positive prospect that they are actually going to get a season and get back out on the court," House said.

YARRAWONGA

Coaches: Laura Irvine and Hannah Symes.

2019: 3^rd (fourth after regular season).

Gains: Sarah Senini (Lavington), Bridget Cassar (returning), Liv Lovell (Geelong), Sharni Hazelman (Barooga).

Losses: Elle Brooks (GV league), Bec Davis (coaching under-17s), Taylah Hazelman.

Stronger than 12 months ago? "I think we should be similar to where we were at. We've lost a couple of key position players in Elle, being a goal shooter, and Bec, being a circle defender, so they're always hard to replace. But we do have some good names coming back," Irvine said.

Coaches comment: "We've been playing in the Wangaratta preseason competition and normally we struggle to get girls interested in heading that way, but this year we've managed to get two teams. The girls are just loving getting back on the court and playing again. We're just happy to be back," Irvine said.

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