Belmont goaler Angelique Ross on her decision to recommit to Lions, breakout 2024 GDFNL campaign and off-season personnel changes

Change has swept through Belmont Lions’ netball ranks this off-season, but at its core remains star goaler Angelique Ross. She opens up on her decision to stay despite her longtime coach’s departure.

Meg Saultry

4 min read

April 3, 2025 - 2:40PM

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Belmont's Angelique Ross is hoping to lead the Lions back to finals again in 2025. Picture: Alan Barber

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Belmont sharpshooter Angelique Ross’ decision to recommit to the Lions wasn’t as simple as an easy yes.

After a standout season where she swept several awards at both league and club level before captaining the Lions to their first A-grade final series in 22 years – before brutally bowing out in an elimination final by one goal – Ross faced a crossroads of whether to stay or go.

Off-season change was afoot at Winter Reserve, the Lions securing Corio mentor Shayna Brown – fresh off of leading the Devils to the semi-finals – as its new A-grade coach, Brown arriving armed with several of her top players including reigning Margaret Webb medallist Molly Gribble.

For Ross, learning of coach Anthony Burton’s departure – he’s now at GDFNL rival Thomson as development coach – was upsetting at first, Ross and her twin sister and Lions defender Yianna having played for ‘Birdy’ ever since they started netball at 15.

Belmont goal shooter Angelique Ross is hoping to build on a brilliant 2024 season. Picture: Mark Wilson

Then came the calls from several GFNL and BFNL clubs sounding out Ross’ interest.

But the 22-year-old’s heart ultimately led her back to Belmont, the goaler citing both on-court progress made last year and a strong off-court environment as major factors in her decision to stay.

“It was really hard for me and my sister, we’ve been with Birdy for so long, to see him move on, it was very bittersweet,” Ross said.

“It was a pretty tough decision (to stay or go), but in the end, I just really wanted to build on what we had last year.

“Belmont is such a family club and my family is really involved in the club so it was important to stick it out and have another go at the year, even with all the changes.

“ … We wanted to embrace the changes and try be positive so eventually, when we played round 1 this weekend, all our relationships have really helped.”

Re-elected as A-grade captain, with Sophie Allison joining Ross as co-captain – the player-led vote reinforced Ross’ growing confidence as a leader of the team.

On-court, the formation of what could become the league’s most potent attack is a salivating prospect for Lions’ supporters and onlookers alike, Ross joined by Gribble, as well as Bannockburn goaler Ella Wasik in another off-season signing masterstroke by Brown, which unites the top three Margaret Webb medal vote-getters of last season in one team.

“After a few practice matches, training sessions, we’ve been reading off each other really well, having Ella in the goals, really good, and that extra speed through the midcourt with Molly, I’m excited to see what happens throughout the year,” Ross said.

Emerging as a league star last year – Ross runner-up in the Margaret Webb and the league’s best shooter with 863 goals, over 200 more than any other goaler – the Lions skipper is determined to cement her form in the league.

“After a good year last year, staying consistent is really important to me, not having a really good week and not performing the week after,” she said.

Playing for Geelong Cougars’ development team this year, Ross is excited to show off everything she’s learning at the next level, with more time spent in GA at the Cougars building more versatility into her game.

It’s this flexibility, as well as greater depth, Ross believed would serve the Lions’ goal of a top three home-and-away finish well this season.

“Girls can swing from midcourt to defence, and some goalers who can play in the midcourt,” Ross said.

“We’ve done a lot of footwork drills, a lot of fitness, so on those baselines, we’re pretty set.”

Belmont Lions open their season against Werribee Centrals on Saturday.

Anakie

Last year: 8th

INS: Zariah Webb (Belmont), Giselle Puru, Atiana Niu.

OUTS: April Mclean (Melton), Daisy Mclean (year 12), Madison Colbert (Modewarre).

Coach: Doug Mitchell.

Bannockburn

Last year: 3rd

INS: Charlie Connors, Georgia Connors, Lucia Bugeja, Charlotte Scanlon, Emma White.

OUTS: Ella Wasik (Belmont Lions), Erin Dillon (Corio), Alana Nicol (South Barwon), Adasha Boxer (Bell Post Hill), Rosie Shanahan, Tamara Watts, Ellie Kennedy.

Coach: Julia Ladgrove.

Bell Post Hill

Last year: 11th

INS: Adasha Boxer (Bannockburn), Jorja Carusso, Adasha Boxer, Brigitte Ardossi.

OUTS: Tiarna Pupavac (family), Xenia Allen (VFLW), Macey Dover (injured).

Coach: Daniel Black.

Belmont Lions

Last year: 5th

INS: Molly Gribble, Shayna Brown, Madelyn Menzel, Zoe McKeegan, Sophie Trezise (Corio), Ella Wasik (Bannockburn), Zoe Saunders (St Albans).

OUTS: Isabelle Marsh (Portarlington), Anger Akec, Puonyuom Mathiang (Thomson), Achel Yout.

Coach: Shayna Brown.

Corio

Last year: 4th

INS: Erin Dillon (Bannockburn), Zara Hinss, Abbey Hobbs, Zoe Donne (Lorne), Steph Cockerell, Jacinta Dimasi (B-grade), Nikita Butcher.

OUTS: Molly Gribble, Shayna Brown, Zoe McKeegan, Madyson Menzel, Sophie Trezise (Belmont Lions), Jordyn Fairchild (ACL).

Coach: Zoe Donne

East Geelong

Last year: 1st

INS (provided as A/B squad): Molly Neeson, Sarah Perrott (returning), Casey McFadyen (Modewarre), Maddie Solly (Warrnambool).

OUTS: Zoey Perovic (overseas), Bronte McConnachie.

Coach: Justine Radford.

Geelong West

Last year: 12th

INS: Jess Mapapalangi (promoted), Kiarra Stuart, Sarah Haworth, Ellen Gleeson, Mikayla Tomicic, Abbey Chapman.

OUTS: Taylah Beard, Sarah Chapman, Alana Honner, Rylie McKenzie.

Coach: Julie Tucker.

Inverleigh

Last year: 7th

INS: Bree Walters (Anglesea), Bailey Ryan (Hamilton), Elle Rice.

OUTS: Nil.

Coach: Lachlan Carlyle and Lisa Milne.

North Geelong

Last year: 10th

INS: Marney McRandall (Portarlington), Emily Paterson, Alexandra Konidaris, Skyler Campbell, Nerys Kirk, Gracie Navarro, Keelin Kirk, Camden Riccardi, Skyelee Hovey, Jorja Pendlebury.

OUTS: Ainsley Smith, Britney Mitchell, Sigrid Mulhearn, Chloe Prior, Sonya Wilson, Carli Richman, Kelly Woods, Brodie Clingan, Brodie Marston, Samantha Simpson.

Coach: Katie McLean