New Drysdale coach Calsey Taylor on bid to bring Hawks up BFNL ladder, how club snared gun recruit Mia Falon

They may have won just six games over the past two BFNL seasons, but Drysdale is feeling positive about what they can achieve in 2025. Plus, all the ins and outs across the league.

Drysdale's A Grade team with their new strips. Picture: Drysdale Football Netball Club.

The Hawks may have won just six games over the past two BFNL seasons, but new Drysdale coach Calsey Taylor is feeling positive about what they can achieve with plenty of experience and the signature of a star player.

After having two babies in two years – Buddy and Belle – Taylor has arrived from Thomson in the GDFNL with existing strong connections to the club.

Her husband, Brent “Squizzy” Taylor, is a premiership captain at Drysdale.

“I’ve probably been around the club about five years as a spectator ... while I was still playing for Thomson,” Taylor said.

“So I was always going to come to the club, it was just a matter of timing.

“I’ve always wanted to end up in that direction, coaching A Grade.

“I’ve had Shannyn Leach coach me for eight years in A Grade at Thomson, I’ve learned so much off her.”

Mia Fallon joins Drysdale from Mooroopna. Picture: Supplied

She said Drysdale were an extremely welcoming and supportive club and there had been positive signs from pre-season.

“We’re feeling really positive. Our practice matches we’ve played some good netball,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in our team, I’m using that to our advantage. I’m really just excited to see how we progress this year.

“I’m really confident in the direction we’re heading with our netball.”

The Hawks, expected to be “mid-court heavy”, have also acquired the services of star Mia Fallon from Mooroopna after moving to Ocean Grove, along with Alyce Delaney – returning to Drysdale after knee issues – and Nicole Butler.

“That’s a massive win for us, she’s a gun, she’s a superstar,” Taylor said of Fallon.

“She’s still young but she’s got lots of senior netball experience and she’s really versatile.”

Fallon, who had met with a number of clubs, was easily swayed to sign.

“She met with us, we talked to her and she signed then and there,” she said.

“I think she just liked the vibe of the club.”

Lily Mills and Amelia Ford are the only departures ahead of Round 1.

Taylor said the merger of the football and netball clubs would also have big benefits: “Just the support and just being one whole club, the connection of it all, bringing people together more.”

Anglesea

In: Teresa Mangar (promoted/B-grade), Hannah Barry-Murphy (returning), Ariana Luamanu (pictured), Lulu Higgins (prev. Newtown & Chilwell).

Out: Amelia Jarvis, Bree Caldwell (Thomson), Briana Walters, Breda Atkins, Eliza Toohey, Rhiannon Butler.

Coach: Izzy Bartlett.

Barwon Heads

In: Kim Hart (Ocean Grove), Lily Maclean, Macie Mortlock (promoted/19&Us).

Out: Kate Schippers, Erica Schippers (Torquay), Dakota Cosson (Newcomb).

Coach: Ebony Evans and Jordan Ogle.

Drysdale

In: Mia Fallon (Mooroopna), Calsey Taylor (Thomson), Alyce Delaney, Nicole Butler (returning).

Out: Aleisha Walters (B-grade), Lily Mills, Amelia Ford.

Coach: Calsey Taylor.

Geelong Amateur

Ins: Kim Hammond (Bell Park), Kayla Donnellon, Lauren Lapsley (B-grade).

Out: Ruby Watson (time off),Darcy McFarlane (travel), Romy Petrie-Harwood.

Coach: Kaitlyn Sheringham.

Modewarre

Ins: Ally Leng (Mildura), Madison Colbert (Anakie), Sophie Brumby (South Barwon C-grade), Maddie Quilliam (promoted/B-grade), Hayley Toull (promoted/17&U).

Out: Katherine Vickers (St Mary’s), Casey McFayden (East Geelong), Sarah Kasparian, Mon Sefton.

Coach: Sarah Gunning.

Newcomb

Ins: Lil Ward (Rochester), Ebony Summers (Stawell), Dakota Cosson (Barwon Heads), Kytlee Willis (Geelong West).

Out: Lisa Stafford.

Coach: Lisa Robinson.

Ocean Grove

Ins: Amanda O’Malley (Werribee Centrals), Gemma Bell, Ashton O’Brien (returning).

Outs: Bec O’Neil (retired), Jess Leader (unavailable), Kim Hart (Barwon Heads), Rhiannon Whitson (relocating), Anna Smith (Leopold), Mia Smith (B-grade).

Coach: Mel Holmes.

Portarlington

IN: Isabelle Marsh (Belmont Lions), Tylah McCleish (Darley), Tully Bethune (Torquay).

OUT: Madison Robbins-Hart (overseas), Marney McRandall (North Geelong).

Coach: Guy McCleish.

Queenscliff

IN: Alex Booker (Newtown & Chilwell), Caitie Kennedy (South Barwon), Jess Rankin (prev. Ocean Grove), Edie Henderson-Craig (promoted/19&Us), Phoebe Knox.

OUT: Sarah Langley, Milly Bakker (time off).

Coach: Jane Searle.

Torquay

IN: Kate Schippers, Erica Schippers (Barwon Heads), Daisy O’Kane (returning), Bridget Aughton (Colac).

OUT: Rhi Moresi, Tess Willet (time off), Tully Bethune (Portarlington).

Coach: Sonia Harris, with ex-Australian Diamond Madi Browne joining as specialist netball coach.

Originally published as New Drysdale coach Calsey Taylor on bid to bring Hawks up BFNL ladder, how club snared gun recruit Mia Falon