The 2023 netball season promises to be one of the best with multiple premiership chances. Starting with the reigning premier Seymour.
What can we say about the Lions? Winners of the two past completed seasons and vying for a third straight premiership. Many have them at the top of the pile, but coach Ellie O’Sullivan is not taking anything for granted and she wants her girls to focus on the week-to-week task and not look too far ahead. She will look within the club to find a replacement for the departed Nakita Singe and Ella Tennant. And one of those girls that is set to grab her opportunity to make her mark is Oliva Barry promoted from B-grade.
The bulk of the premiership team is returning which gives the Lions stability in all thirds of the court. I expect the Lions to be there when the whips are cracking come September, and they should start with a win against Benalla.
Two other contenders expected to be vying for this year’s premiership is Mooroopna and the Shepparton Swans. And they do battle in what looms as the match of the round at Mooroopna.
Mooroopna is well led by Di Hanslow and the Cats have welcomed Taylah Lloyd back to the fold and Nathalia goaler Caitlin McLachlan crosses from Nathalia. And then of course the regulars are back for the Cats. The Cats’ only departure is Elle Brooks who has moved interstate.
The Swans will be a stronger this year adding Sophie Garner and Tayla Clohesy from cross-town rival United and youngster Harriet Gall is sure get some game time as the club continues to promote its youth.
This should be a fantastic game of netball, but the big game experience of some of the Cat players has me thinking they win this one.
Last year’s runner-up, Shepparton United could well be in for a tough campaign, having lost a number of its starting 7 that played off for the premiership. Last season’s coach Kara Blizzard is having the year off to have her second child while three-time Wellman Medallist Jessie Barnes Hill won’t be on the court in 2023. And, Sophie Garner and Tayla Clohesy have switched clubs, joining the Shepparton Swans.
Their opponents in Shepparton are expected to be one of the teams to rise up the table, especially after Kim Borger (nee Commane) has returned to Deakin Reserve after her UK stint. Borger will be supported by some of the regulars from last year and with that I expect the Bears to be too strong for the Demons.
Euroa is one of the other teams that is expected to be vying for the title in 2023, especially after the bulk of the 2022 playing roster has elected to return to Memorial Oval. Coach Ellie Warnock will be hoping her girls can kick off with a win at Mansfield.
Mansfield will be led by Nelle Cousins and she will have the likes of Amy Dixon-Reilly, Darcy Croxford and Amy Hutchins at her disposal to make the Eagles a much more competitive outfit in 2023.
Kyabram, Rochester and Tatura all have it in front of them in 2023. All of them did show signs of what they are capable of at different times of the 2022 season. Kyabram and Rochester go head-to-head and the Bombers will be hoping former VNL shooter Jada Richardson can get them off to a flying start.
For the Bulldogs it will be a case of trying to improve on last year and replicate the 2021 season where they did end up sixth.
To do that the likes of Stephanie Smith-Gorrie, Elsie Boyer, Molly Kennedy, returning former coach Molly Boyle and new recruit Julia Clarke will be pivotal to helping the Dogs to more wins in 2023. But they face a tough first-up challenge against Echuca. Echuca will be led by Belinda Lees who replaces Steph Vick.
Lees says it will be a team of youth and experience, injecting some of the girls who featured in the under 17 premiership. That makes them an interesting prospect as they are likely to have some up and downs.
That said, the opening round should be an up for the Murray Bombers against the visiting Bulldog girls.
My tips: Seymour, Shepparton, Echuca, Euroa, draw (Kyabram v Rochester) and Mooroopna.
