The four-time consecutive Victorian Netball League (VNL) Championship division winners remain the team to beat with a steady lineup of experienced talent re-signing for 2026.
The club’s 23&Under team is meanwhile looking to the future, recruiting several Victorian State Team athletes and giving players opportunities to step up to the Championship level throughout the season.
Championship athletes
2025 VNL finish: 1st
In: Olivia Barber, Georgia Berry, Maddison McKiernan – training partner (City West Falcons 23&Under), Abbey Grindal – training partner
Returning: Olivia Cameron, Jane Cook, Lucia Fauonuku, Sophie Hanrahan, Montana Holmes, Chelsea Imanisani, Sussu Liai, Maggie Lind, Charity Nasalio, Madelyn Romios, Soli Ropati
Out: Uneeq Palavi (SSN), Melissa Oloamanu
City West Falcons has officially signed two new faces to their Championship team for 2026 in defenders Olivia Barber and Georgia Berry.
Originally from Balldale located north-west of Albury, Barber is a natural athlete with years of professional AFLW experience at Collingwood and Geelong, and state basketball teams under her belt. “A raw talent with good height and athleticism, Olivia will be an exciting prospect to watch,” said City West Falcons head coach Marg Lind.
Berry will further bolster Falcons’ defence with previous experience playing for Western Warriors.
Falcons will also take the opportunity to elevate 23&Under athletes to the Championship level based on their performances throughout the season to boost their stocks. “The experience and leadership of the existing group should allow the introduction of some exciting youngsters such as [goaler] Amalani Fauonuku and [defender] Achel Yout who will have a solid platform of support to help explore the higher division,” said Lind.
The team’s new defenders will join Sophie Hanrahan (GD/GK) who tied for the VNL MVP award in 2024 and made the Team of the Year in 2025. Hanrahan has a fantastic read on the game and consistently wins plenty of ball for this side.
Hanrahan will again partner with Charity Nasalio (GK/GD) who had a great year in 2025, winning Best on Court in the Geelong Football Netball League A Grade grand final.
National pathway experienced defender Sussu Liai has re-signed for her third year at Falcons.
Lucia Fauonuku has also re-signed after playing a crucial role at wing defence in the Falcons’ VNL 2025 grand final comeback
Heading up the goal circle will once again be Jane Cook, who continues to raise the bar, setting a new VNL record in 2025 when shooting 1078 goals in 18 Rounds and at 96% accuracy.
Goal attacks Olivia Cameron (2025 Grand Final MVP) and Madelyn Romios will again link up with Cook in the shooting circle. “Whilst Olivia Cameron had an outstanding VNL grand final, in the Preliminary Final prior Madelyn Romios had an equally excellent game,” said Lind.
In the midcourt, wing attack Maggie Lind will continue leading the way with her SSN experience and attacking connection with Cook.
Falcons are excited to have Soli Ropati back on court after she suffered an ACL injury in early 2025 while representing Samoa. “This was a significant loss to the Falcons midcourt, however fortunately we had the required depth to cover her absence,” said Lind. “Soli returning gives us versatility and experience. She is a graceful and balanced player who can turn on speed at any moment and will be a great asset to the club in 2026.”
Montana Holmes will again provide a strong presence through the middle with her feeding smarts and defensive pressure.
Chelsea Imanisani also returns and can cover all three midcourt positions.
Defender Maddison McKiernan and goaler Abbey Grindal have both aged out of the 23&Under division, so they will provide further support to this team as training partners.
Of her team’s 2025 performance, Lind said, “We had no passengers. The team performed as a true team.”
“We never thought four premierships in a row would be achievable so five would be incredible. However, other clubs look significantly bolstered by extended lists and experienced players. We are under no illusions.”
2026 will be a big year for City West Falcons' Championship side as they prepare to blood new talent.
“2026 will be a big challenge and we are mindful of the need to develop a younger list. This will be our priority whilst trying to perform to the best of our ability.”
23&Under athletes
2025 VNL finish: 6th in regular season, 4th in finals
In: Tully Bethune, Alual Garang, Emily Fitzgerald (elevated from City West Falcons development team), Ella Leith (elevated from City West Falcons development team), Molly Moylan, Manon Muir (elevated from City West Falcons development team), Abhi Sanjeev, Imogen Sexton (elevated from City West Falcons development team), Lara Taylor
Returning: Holly Adams Alcock, Amalani Fauonuku, Amelia Holland, Mikaela Minns, Olivia Powell, Achel Yout
Out: Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale (Achilles injury), Matilda McIntyre (Melbourne University Lightning), Beyonce Palavi, Isabelle Grapsas, Maddison McKiernan (Championship training partner)
There’s been a big shakeup in City West Falcons’ 23&Under team who are looking to develop young talent.
The club have recruited well, including several Victorian State Squad members who have joined the side.
The first new signing is Tully Bethune, who is returning to the VNL this season after injury. The goal shooter brings plenty of experience from Geelong Cougars in the VNL, the Victorian (17/U 2023) and Northern Territory (19/U 2024) State Teams, 2023-24 Australian 17/U Squad, and 2025 Black Swans. “She is a tall GS who could be a possible future replacement for Jane Cook. Tully is returning from hip surgery and is on track for a stellar season,” said Lind.
There will be competition for the goal attack bib with new player Molly Moylan from Wodonga putting her hand up for a starting spot. Moylan was co-captain of Victoria’s 2025 17/U State Team and is in the 2026 19/U State Team. “Molly Moylan is a dogged, unflappable, and strong GA who is an exciting prospect,” said Lind. Also a talented basketballer, Moylan shows enormous promise and a dedicated work ethic, travelling 3.5 hours to Melbourne for VNL and state commitments.
Imogen Sexton is another young goal attack option who boasts a long range shot and calm demeanour under pressure. She has developed through the Altona Netball Association Representative Program and is a member of the 2026 17/U State Team. Sexton made her VNL debut for Falcons’ Championship side in 2025, sinking 19 goals in her first game.
These new goalers join the experienced ranks of Amalani Fauonuku (GA/GS) who has her own significant State and National Squad experience. She shot 502 goals at 88% last VNL season, was selected in the 23&Under Team of the Year, and is a 2026 training partner for Melbourne Mavericks’ Super Netball Reserves team. After a solid 2025 season of development, Lind is hopeful of elevating the 17-year-old to VNL Championship level throughout the 2026 season.
Holly Adams-Alcock has also re-signed, providing this team with an ever-reliable shooting presence. She brings her own State Team experience from the 19/U Victorian sides in 2024 and 2025, shooting at over 80% on both appearances at the National Netball Championships.
Achel Yout will be a leader in defence with the opportunity to step up to Championship level based on her performances this season.
She will again partner with Mikaela Minns who has re-signed following a stint playing professional netball in Malaysia. Minns has previously spent time in the 17/U State Squad and Vixens Academy.
Abhi Sanjeev is an exciting defensive recruit. A versatile circle defender, she is known for her ability to hunt on court, play on the body, and provide strong arms over the ball. Sanjeev is also a reserve athlete for the 2026 17/U State Team and she made her VNL debut with this team last year.
Alual Garang is another promising new face to the VNL this season. “Both are dynamic and athletic – not afraid to have a fly!” said Lind of Garang and Sanjeev.
In the midcourt, pathway products Amelia Holland and Olivia Powell have both re-signed after strong debut VNL seasons.
They will connect with some new players, starting with Emily Fitzgerald (C/WA) who has been elevated from the club's development team and has made the 17/U State Squad the past two years. Fitzgerald adds pace and versatility as a replacement for Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale who ruptured her Achilles playing in the First Nations Tournament.
Manon Muir (WD/C) is one to watch as a member of the First Nations State Team 2025 and 17/U State Team 2026 who has risen through Altona’s representative program. She made her VNL debut in the City West Falcons’ Championship division last season. “She is a hardworking, strong, athletic, and defensive midcourt player,” said Lind of Muir.
Ella Leith is another exciting Altona pathway product and reserve athlete for the 2026 17/U State Team. The fast and agile player can cover all three midcourt positions and made her VNL debut for the Falcons’ Championship side in 2025 as a 16-year-old before a wrist injury. Leith is also an accomplished track and field athlete who has competed at a national level in javelin and shot put. “She is capable of turning a game,” said Lind.
Lara Taylor has joined Falcons after moving to Melbourne from regional Victoria. “She is super athletic and calm under pressure,” said Ling. “She offers strong defensive presence after transitioning from circle defence to midcourt.”
Of this young team, Lind said, “I think this team could be outstanding if they can come together as a group and if the leadership is strong.
“This is potentially one of the most promising young groups we have, with many players having the capacity to go far with their netball, and a solid return from our development work at Altona Netball Association.”
Coaches
Most of City West Falcons’ established coaching panel will continue in their roles for the 2026 season.
Marg Lind will lead the club as head coach with her decades of VNL and Commonwealth Bank Trophy coaching experience.
She will continue to be supported by Mavericks Reserves assistant coach Jacinta Todd and Daylesford A-grade coach Alexia McConnell who act as a cohesive coaching unit on game day.
The 23&Under coaches are Josh Smith and Jarrod Mills, joined by Sonia Harris, who won a Championship premiership with the club in 2009. Harris previously coached Division One at Falcons, and was the long-serving A grade coach of Torquay Netball Club.
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