Billabong Crows' netballer Harriet Simpson on sport, farming and family

On game day, Harriet and John's focus is on supporting the Crows on the footy field and netball court.

But when the final whistle sounds, they unite to work on the family farm in Oaklands.

It's often all hands on deck, with their parents Andrew and Libby also receiving help from John's partner Molly and Harriet's partner Hugh Burrell.

After a hard week's work, Harriet admits sport acts as an outlet for the family.

"It's an awesome way to see everyone," she said.

"We really missed it last year, mostly the social side.

"It's such a family-oriented club, yes it's nice to have wins at the end of the day, but the atmosphere at Crows is second to none."

Harriet grew up playing netball at the club before moving to boarding school at Geelong Grammar.

She then joined her college team in Armidale, coaching in her senior year.

Arriving back with the Crows in 2018, the defender's homecoming was sweet, helping the side to back-to-back flags.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing.

"I had a bad ankle injury in my fist year home in 2018," she said.

"It happened about 90 seconds from the final whistle, which was annoying.

"I had eight weeks off right in the middle of the season which was pretty tough.

"Having a player out didn't seem to affect us though."

She recalls 2017 as being a turning point for the club, with the arrival of former coach Beck O'Connell.

"She showed everyone the full potential of how strong the club could be," she said.

"We've always had a strong core home group, and as the footy club grew and started pulling in players, I think the strength came."

John's set for a new role next season, after he was appointed senior co-coach alongside Dylan Flanagan.

Harriet said she's excited for what lies ahead for her big brother, with five years separating the siblings, with sister Edwina Hicks in the middle.

"He's really good at motivating people and it's going to be really exciting to see how the boys fit into the roles as coaches," she said.

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While her partner Hugh sat this season out injured, he's made the switch to Aussie rules after growing up in rugby territory.

"Coming down here, he didn't know what to expect because none of the clubs back home had netball and football teams," Harriet said.

"He met a few of the local boys and they told him to come to training.

"Within a matter of weeks he knew almost more people than I did."

The Crows' A-grade netball side has finished the home and away season in fourth spot and are waiting to see if the league can proceed with finals.

After coming into the season as the reigning premiers, Harriet said they enter the finals as the underdogs.

"Millie (Ferguson) has done such an amazing job this season and it would be great if we could play finals, even if it's a shortened version," she said.

"Obviously everyone's health and safety comes first."

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