Alex Booker joins Geelong Cougars’ championship squad; Charli Hoey departs 23 & Us
Geelong Cougars fell down the VNL championship pecking order in 2025. But they aren’t content to stay there long amid a number of changes, ahead of Monday’s pre-season return.
Geelong Cougars coach Gerard Murphy believes a trio of inclusions and strengthened training mandate can see his championship squad rebound from an underwhelming 2025 in the Victorian Netball League.
The Cougars, who kick off pre-season on Monday, have signed Alex Booker from Melbourne University Lightning after her debut championship season this year.
Meanwhile, Newcomb goal shooter Carly Sanders and East Geelong premiership goalkeeper Steph Boyce also join the main squad full-time, with Sanders a training partner last season and Boyce joining later in the year as a fill-in.
Booker, who plays locally for Queenscliff and was named in the Bellarine team of the year in 2025, is expected to offer a different look to Geelong’s attack as a wing attack-goal attack option working alongside goalers Sanders and Emma Buwalda.
“Alex is very dynamic and loves her fitness, and she’s probably a bit more powerful on the ground so in terms of speed off the mark, change of direction,” Murphy said.
“She also doesn’t mind a bit of physicality too … she’s able to withstand a bit more physical defence and pressure.
“I think that will work out well, and is a good complement and change up for Emma.”
It comes as star defender Brooke Allan and young wing attack Charlotte Morey are set to take a season off, as does Ash Smith, while goalers Daisy O’Kane and Elisa Hall are understood to be playing locally next year.
After a preliminary final appearance in 2023, the Cougars missed finals in 2024 by just 0.64 per cent before dropping from 5th to 9th in 2025 after a 4-13 campaign – with a fifth win against Southern Saints forfeited due to an administrative error.
Murphy revealed the club’s new mandate next season was for greater consistency in training attendance, with off-court factors around work and life commitments and injury niggles took a toll in 2025.
But he remained confident tweaks would see the Cougars rebound up the ladder, pointing to the fact the clubboasted the fifth best defence in championship with 972 goals (avg. 54 a game) conceded in relation to a second-last attack (839 goals at an avg. 46.6).
“We were in the top defensive teams for the year, and that was with a significant amount of lower goals for,” he said.
“We averaged about 65-70 per cent goal accuracy, so that was really one of the biggest issues, goaling conversion and accuracy.
“I think if we can just tidy up that attack – Alex gives us the second goal attack option, and Emma can drop into a mobile shooter now, Carly coming in permanently.”
Murphy believed Boyce’s inclusion would also help the Cougars better combat rival tall shooters, with several other players’ maturation in the state league also beneficial.
“Kiahna (Fallon), Alahria (Smith) now coming into their third-fourth years in champ and Ally (O’Connor’s) in her fifth year now, they’re looking good,” Murphy said.
“And (defenders) Indya (Forde) and Charli (Nicol) are now in their third years in championship, they know what they need to do now and what’s expected.”
Young Cougars set to build on rapid rise
Murphy has backed teen defender Mia Aitken to take her game to new heights in 2026.
The 18-year-old is among several re-signings for the Cougars’ 23-and-under VNL side, which made it through to this year’s grand final against eventual premiers Melbourne University Lightning.
Amid the demands of Year 12 at Sacred Heart College, Aitkens won silver with Victoria’s 19-and-under side as a bottom ager while balancing netball with the Cougars and St Mary’s.
Currently training with Elevate as part of the state set-up, Murphy was confident Aitken could find a new level without the pressures of Year 12 next year.
“I’m looking forward to now seeing the next stage of her (Aitken’s) netball, which is away from school commitments,” Murphy said.
“I think she’s really going to step up.”
More responsibility in the defensive third will likely fall to Aitken, after Cougars and Victorian defensive partner in crime Charli Hoey opted to sign with Melbourne-based Hawks’ championship side.
Goaler Charlie Bellette has also departed for Western Warriors.
It’s seen the Cougars – led by returning 23 & U coach Mel Savage – bring in two new faces in Newtown & Chilwell defender Eliza Hannagan and Geelong Amateur goaler Eliza Oxley to fill the two voids.
After exceeding expectations to reach a grand final from fifth place in 2025, Murphy is confident the young squad has greater development and growth in them – in particular their attacking third featuring the likes of Indi O’Connor, Eliza Dunell and Monique Parker.
“I think that will be where there is even more improvement and that will have a big impact on our team performance, so looking forward to how they all continue to grow,” Murphy said.
“They’re all very keen and invested in performing and playing and improving.”
Meanwhile, the Cougars will again field a 19 & U VNL reserve team next year, as well as a development side featuring a mix of 23 & U and 19 & U training partners.
“We’ve got a really good young group coming through, lots of 16-17-year-old Geelong girls coming through,” Murphy said.
“I think we’ll see a lot of them close to state team selection.
“I think, the next few years, that 23s team has got a lot of strength and if we have injuries, I’m not too concerned we wouldn’t be able to fill them.”
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Originally published as Alex Booker joins Geelong Cougars’ championship squad; Charli Hoey departs 23 & Us
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