WENTWORTH
COACH: Amanda Edwards
2024 SEASON: Runner-up
FIRST MONTH: Red Cliffs (H), Ouyen United (A), Bye, Bye.
ARRIVALS: Georgia Chase, Eli Fonua.
DEPARTURES: Emily Hosking.
WENTWORTH’S incredible run of 1287 days between defeats came to an end on the worst of days, when Ouyen United claimed the 2024 premiership.
The powerhouse Roos, however, have wasted little time in preparing to come back to the court and are ready to put the competition on notice again.
A largely unchanged squad will enter the 2025 campaign, aside from Emily Hosking, who was on the comeback trial from injury and has relocated for work.
Georgia Chase and Eli Fonua have joined the club from South Mildura and Merbein respectively, and will take part in the combined A and B grade squad.
Lola McInerney and Issy McPhee both made their debuts as 17-and-under players in 2024 and are now into the senior ranks full-time.
Coming in alongside gun netballers in playing coach Amanda Edwards, 2024 Jackie Horkings Medal runner-up Ashlee Cameron, Courtney Wakefield, Christie Becker, Natalie Vercher, Molly Mangan and Liz Rowe, the Roos remain a formidable outfit.
“I think the group is hungrier than ever,” Edwards said.
“The intensity has been right up and the work ethic has been there across the pre-season and now moving into the regular training sessions.
“The girls are always eager to learn which is always a great sign when you’re a coach.”
Edwards said Chase and Fonua, the winner of the C Grade Hickey Medal last year, will be strong additions to the combined A and B Grade squad, while McInerney and McPhee have both taken steps forward in their development.
Wentworth will be keen to show last year’s grand final was just a blip on the radar.
