Live stream: Teal Hocking, Myah Healy, Annecy Lyon among young guns to watch in Victorian Netball League
As KommunityTV gets ready to tip off the new VNL season with a grand final replay tonight, we delve into the depths of young talent in all clubs to reveal some very promising signs.
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The Victorian Netball League returns tonight, with the state league competition the ideal platform for the best up-and-coming players to shine.
The KommunityTV LIVE STREAM season tips off with a grand final rematch between City West Falcons and Boroondara Express.
Check all the details below.
We take a look at some names to watch out for in both the championship and 23-and-under divisions this year.
CATCH ALL THE FALCONS v EXPRESS VNL ROUND ONE ACTION HERE
BENDIGO STRIKERS
Teal Hocking
Young goalie who earned VNL division one team of the year honours in 2023, Hocking is among the Strikers’ championship squad after crossing from City West Falcons. Has also represented Victoria in its 19-and-under team.
Charlotte Sexton
Another player to have played with Victoria’s 19-and-under state team, Sexton will take a defensive posting for the Strikers. The Bendigo product returns home after earning VNL 19-and-under team of the year honours at City West Falcons in 2023.
BOROONDARA EXPRESS
Ally Black
A 21-year-old goalie is among Boroondara’s under 23 squad for 2024. Played championship matches in 2023 and can effortlessly move between the different grades when needed, particularly if championship goalie Ruby Barkmeyer is unavailable through Super Netball training partner duties.
CASEY DEMONS
Poppy Douglass
Up-and-coming goal attack/wing attack in Casey’s championship squad, Douglass, who hails from Ballarat, won gold with Collingwood at the Australian Netball Championships in 2023.
Piuti Laban
A young goaler-midcourter not yet out of high school, Laban lines up for Casey Demons’ under 23 team this year, as well as Victoria’s 17-and-under state team.
INSIDE ROSTER CRUNCH FOR VNL’S NEWEST FRANCHISES
CITY WEST FALCONS
Sussu Liai
Has plenty of experience at VNL level but is still not yet 21. Joins the Falcons’ reigning championship squad from Peninsula Waves, with the defender, who made her Vic Fury debut in 2023, a key recruit for a side who lost some defensive stock in the off-season.
Amalani Fauonuku
The goal shooter steps up to City West Falcons’ 23-and-under after lining up for the club’s 19-and-under grand final team, with the teenager also a part of Victoria’s 17-and-under team.
GEELONG COUGARS
Charlotte Morey
The South Barwon midcourter is gearing up for her first year in championship division after helping the Cougars clinch a division one flag in 2023. Another member of Victoria’s 19-and-under team this year.
Kiahna Fallon
Fallon, also part of Geelong’s 2023 division one premiership team, has also represented Victoria and should line up across wing defence and centre for the Cougars after making the step up to championship.
Charli Nicol
The Queenscliff defender, who can play all three positions, also rises to championship division after crossing from City Falcons West. Has represented both Australia and Victoria.
GIPPSLAND STARS
Myah Healy
A goal shooter who joins the Stars’ under-23 roster after lining up in division one at Casey Demons. Healy has a basketball background and currently plays in the Big V Youth league for Casey Cavaliers.
Alison Dwyer
A key defender from Bairnsdale, Dwyer joins the Stars’ under-23 team with previous division one experience at Melbourne Uni Lightning.
HAWKS NETBALL
Chloe Duke
Named in the league’s division one team of the year in 2023, the hardworking defender is stepping up to championship this year. Duke has “gotten better and better” throughout the pre-season, according to coach AJ Ballantyne.
Keeley Burgmann
A second-year championship player who is still only young. The goalie was having a strong 2023 season before injuring her knee and only returned for her first match-play in recent weeks.
Georgie O’Brien
O’Brien is among a handful of under-23 players Ballantyne believes can step up to championship level if needed this year. The wing defence-goal defence is part of Victoria’s 19-and-under team and had opportunities at the championship level in 2023.
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY LIGHTNING
Emma Winfield
A member of the Lightning’s 19-and-under VNL premiership in 2023, the midcourter-goaler will play a key role for the club’s 23-and-under this year. Another member of Victoria’s 19-and-under team.
Montaya Sardi
The teen midcourter, who also lined up in the Lightning’s 19-and-under flag last year, can play all three midcourt positions and has played for Victoria at the national level.
NORTH EAST BLAZE
Tara Watson
The 18-year-old has cemented her spot in the Blaze’s championship roster this year. The defensive midcourter, who is part of Victoria’s 19-and-under team, made her championship debut last year as an 19-and-under player.
Ava Lockwood
Lockwood is one to watch out for after joining the club following a move interstate from Tasmania. A midcourter who is a current member of Tasmania’s 19-and-under team, it will be exciting to see what Lockwood can do in her first Victorian Netball League season.
PENINSULA WAVES
Charlize Gabel Joseph
The goal shooter will form a key part of the Waves’ 23-and-under team in 2024, after dominating the 19-and-under goal circle last year. Averaged 35.6 goals a match at 83 per cent accuracy to finish the season with most goals scored in the competition and a place in the team of the year.
WESTERN WARRIORS
Simona DiFillipo
The young midcourter joins the Warriors’ championship roster after taking out league MVP honours in 2023 with Hawks Netball.
Akira McCormack
The goalie takes the step up to championship this year with new franchise Western Warriors, after starring in Melbourne Uni Lightning’s 19-and-under premiership last season, winning grand final MVP.
Sarah Croft
Midcourter brings previous VNL experience to the Warriors’ 23-and-under team this year, after crossing from Melbourne Uni Lightning, where she played 19-and-under and division one.
SOUTHERN SAINTS
Mia van Wyk
The 18-year-old lines up in the championship this season, as she balances other opportunities with the Vixens academy and Victorian 19-and-under team. A circle defender who can also play wing defence.
Leila Simpson
The teenager is among the Saints’ 23-and-under team in 2024, after rising to division one midway through last season. The centre-wing defence has also made her way into Victoria’s 17-and-under team, after she was a training partner last year.
Annecy Lyon
The tall goalie joins Southern Saints’ 23-and-under squad after playing for the Ariels’ 19-and-under side in 2023. Another current member of the Victorian 17-and-under team, Lyon has a strong sporting pedigree as the daughter of St Kilda’s AFL coach Ross Lyon.
Replays: Boroondara Express v Geelong Cougars, VNL Round 8
The Geelong Cougars were always going to have their work cut out against title contenders Boroondara Express. See how they fared in the C’ship and 23&Under. Watch both REPLAYS.
Replays: High-flying Hawks heap more pain on winless Waves
The class has shone through for Hawks after it saw off an early scare to dismantle the Peninsula Waves on Wednesday night. Watch the VNL double-header REPLAYS here.