COACH: Sally Moore.
2022: Fourth.
ARRIVALS: Ellen Brewster, Sarah Telfer, Tara Hammerstein.
DEPARTURES: Maddy Toms, Georgia Chase.
SOUTH Mildura have finals ambitions again in 2023, however it will be a new-look side that will take them there.
Despite going down to Ouyen United in their elimination last season, there is plenty of optimism under new coach Sally Moore that the team will remain in the reckoning.
South have lost former captain Maddy Toms who has relocated for work, while 2022 coach Georgia Chase is expecting a child in June.
There are some very handy additions, however, either joining the club this year or pushing up from other grades.
Experienced campaigner and 2018 A Grade premiership player Sharne Lane is back into the top division, with Moore indicating she will play an extremely important role at GK.
Incoming versatile tall Ellen Brewster is a smooth mover who can operate as a shooter and defender, and returning duo Sarah Telfer and another 2018 flag star in Tara Hammerstein, will add skill and experience across the court.
Mid-court players Tayla Sellens and Raquel Ban return from the 2022 line-up, as does rising star Morna Naquto who was recently selected for the Fijian national squads.
Yasmin Thompson will make the step up from Under 17 to play shooter, giving Moore what she feels is a balanced line-up.
“I think we have a really solid mix of players across the court, and that’s obviously the ideal scenario for Morna and Yasmin to get that support and hopefully thrive,” she said.
“I’m confident that every single week, as the season goes on, this team will get better and better by nature.
“They are a very talented group of girls. South have always brought that, when I have played against them they were always competitive, very defensive and just growing in other key areas.”
