Melbourne University Lightning’s 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) performance was a mixed bag, with the 23&Under side winning their first title, while the Championship side battled injuries resulting in their lowest ladder finish (10th) in years.
There’s been a shakeup in both sides as they rebuild, including the exciting potential return of former Melbourne Vixens squad member Gabrielle Coffey later in the season.
Championship athletes
In: Chenile Chandler – training partner (returning to club), Tilly Shepherd (elevated from Melbourne University Lightning 23&Under), Montaya Sardi (elevated from Melbourne University Lightning 23&Under), Lily Davis – training partner (elevated from Melbourne University Lightning 23&Under), Gabrielle Coffey (Netball Super League – returning to club)
Returning: Claudia Mawson, Kirby Elliot, Emma Winfield, Lorna Clark, Caitlin Hill, Charlee Kemp, Tepaea Hobson, Maggie Caris, Mikaela Vaughan – training partner
Out: Alex Booker (Geelong Cougars), Casey Dunstan (Peninsula Waves), Dayna Williams (Bendigo Strikers), Shae Bolton Brown (retired), Maddison Kirk (North East Blaze)
2025 VNL finish: 10th
Melbourne University Lightning struggled with multiple injuries throughout 2025 but showed potential towards the back end of the season. They’ve re-signed most of their squad for 2026 and elevated some exciting young talent.
“For 2026, we are really looking to build on the back half of our 2025 season where we were really connecting as a team and came away with some wins against teams in the finals,” said Melbourne University Lightning Championship head coach Sarah Mylrea. “And now with the team having more experience in the Championship section, if we can keep them all on court, I do not doubt that this team can really push for a finals appearance.”
New to the defence end is Tilly Shepherd who moves up from Melbourne University Lightning’s 23&Under 2025 premiership winning team. The predominant goal keeper was an integral force throughout the last 23&Under season, claiming 10 gains in the grand final win over Geelong Cougars, and being named the team’s runner up MVP. Shepherd already has some experience at the Championship level, having filled in on multiple occasions last season. “Tilly is an agile goal keeper, who has the ability to turnover ball on both holding and moving goal shooters,” said Mylrea.
Shepherd will learn behind one of the best in the league in Maggie Caris (GK/GD), who will likely play a bigger role for Melbourne University Lightning this year, after spending a season as temporary replacement player in the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) premiership Melbourne Vixens team. She remains a Melbourne Vixens training partner and is an incredible asset to this team with her read of the play.
Another defender returning in a bigger capacity is Tepaea Hobson (GK/GD), who played only a limited 2025 VNL season while recovering from ACL surgery. Hobson is an experienced athlete in the state and national pathways, including making the 2025 and 2026 Melbourne Vixens Reserves team as a training partner, and being a 2025 Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) scholarship holder.
Charlee Kemp (GK/GD) will play her first full Championship season after being elevated to this level full time last year. The defender is a long time Melbourne University Lightning player and former MVP of their 23&Under side.
Kirby Elliot is also back for her second Championship season and will again play an important role across goal and wing defence. She was the team’s runner up MVP last VNL season. “She would have been the standout in the defence end [last season],” said Mylrea. “She has the ability to get ball when you need it most and lifts those around her.”
Melbourne University Lightning has signed a secret weapon in Gabrielle Coffey (GD/GK), who plans to rejoin the VNL after finishing another season in the UK’s Netball Super League, which ends in June (around Round 12 of the VNL). Coffey was previously a Melbourne Vixens training partner. “We are excited to have her in any capacity possible as she has so much experience and can bring that back to the club and instil some of it onto our less experienced defenders,” said Mylrea.
At the other end of the court, Melbourne University Lightning look forward to a full season of Claudia Mawson in goal attack after she dislocated her shoulder early last season and missed multiple games. Mawson has significant state pathway experience across state teams and Melbourne Vixens Reserves, and she has joined the Melbourne Mavericks Reserves team for 2026.
Mawson will again link up with Emma Winfield, who played a critical role throughout 2025 as the team's highly versatile centre and goaling option, shooting at 82% and taking out the team’s MVP award. “Emma really stepped up and found a maturity in her game that we have not seen before,” said Mylrea.
Caitlin Hill will continue as the team’s dominant goaler with a year in the Melbourne Vixens Reserves team under her belt. She shot at 84% accuracy last VNL season across goal shooter and goal attack.
Mikaela Vaughan will again provide valuable goaling support and experience to this side as a training partner, having made her Suncorp Super Netball debut for the NSW Swifts in 2017.
In the midcourt, Melbourne University Lightning has elevated the versatile Montaya Sardi to their Championship team, who was named the club’s 23&Under Player of the Finals after their premiership win last year. “Mon has been an integral part of our club over the past few years, being the starting centre in both our 19s and 23s grand final wins,” said Mylrea. “Her finesse on her feeds as well as her timing in attack will fit nicely into our Championship team setup.”
Lorna Clark returns for her second Lightning season as the team’s dominant midcourter who covers centre and wing attack.
Chenile Chandler will provide additional midcourt cover as a training partner. She is returning to Melbourne University Lightning after two years with Western Warriors. “She is a hardworking and fast defensive midcourter who lifts the standard at training every week,” said Mylrea.
Speedy midcourter Lily Davis, who was previously in Lightning’s 23&Under side, has also been signed as training partner.
23&Under athletes
2025 VNL finish: 2nd in regular season, 1st in finals
In: Abbey Sharrock – training partner (elevated from Melbourne University Lightning development squad), Bella Collodetti – training partner (elevated from Melbourne University Lightning development squad), Clara Choi – training partner (returning to club), Matilda McIntyre (City West Falcons), Brianna McCrindle, Cleo McLachlan (elevated from Melbourne University Lightning development squad)
Returning: Mackenzie Wallace, Abbey Hogg (elevated from training partner), Millie Hogg, Kate O'Dwyer, Eliza Burge, Grace Markovic, Claire Oakley, Xara Burge (elevated from training partner), Akira McCormack
Out: Annecy Lyon (North East Blaze), Lily Davis (elevated to Melbourne University Lightning Championship), Tilly Shepherd (elevated to Melbourne University Lightning Championship), Montaya Sardi (elevated to Melbourne University Lightning Championship), Olivia Jones
Melbourne University Lightning’s 23&Under team won their first division premiership in 2025.
There’s been some movement in the off season, with Shepherd, Sardi, and Davis all joining the club’s Championship division team, and some athletes moving to other clubs. With new talent joining, the club remain confident in this team’s abilities.
“We believe we can have a red-hot crack at the premiership this year. The team is incredibly focused and energised, ready to embrace the challenges the season inevitably throws at us,” said Melbourne University Lightning 23&Under head coach Stephanie Norton. “What really excites us is the strength of our connections both on and off the court. Our squad boasts solid depth, with quality players throughout, and a bond that allows us to work seamlessly together.”
Among the new signings is 16-year-old Cleo McLachlan (GD/GK) who has been elevated from the club’s development squad and has been selected in the last two consecutive 17/U Victorian State Teams. Based on her performance at the 2025 National Netball Championships, McLachlan was also selected in the 2025 Australian 17/U National Squad. “Cleo McLachlan is a fearless, up-and-coming defender who thrives on matching up against the toughest opponents,” said Norton. “She continues to impress at every level.”
Brianna McCrindle is another defensive recruit who brings agility and excellent elevation to this side. “She is versatile across the court, capable of matching up on both tall and quick opponents, and will add great depth to our defensive unit,” said Norton.
The athletes will join re-signed defenders Mackenzie Wallace (GD/GK) for her second official season at 23&Under level; Eliza Burge (GD/WD); and Grace Markovic (WD/GD). “Grace Markovic’s 2025 season was interrupted by injuries and niggles, but when she’s on the court, she sets the tone for our defence. A fearless risk-taker, she always gives everything and isn’t afraid of a little white line fever,” said Norton.
Xara Burge (WD/GD) has officially stepped up from training partner to join her sister Eliza in the team.
Bella Collodetti will offer further defensive cover as a new training partner.
In the midcourt, Melbourne University Lightning are delighted to welcome back midcourter Clara Choi as a training partner after recovering from illness.
Choi will connect with the team’s 2025 MVP Millie Hogg (WA/C), and her younger sister Abbey Hogg (C/WA), who has been elevated from training partner following repeat selection in the 17/U Victorian State Team, making her VNL debut, and earning 2025 Australian 17/U National Squad selection. “A calm, controlled presence on court, Abbey brings composure and consistency and will add valuable depth through the midcourt,” said Norton.
Lightning has re-signed a stable goaling end starting with Kate O'Dwyer (GS/GA) who is also a training partner for the 2026 Melbourne Vixens Reserves team. O’Dwyer shot 615 goals last VNL season at 91% accuracy. “Kate O’Dwyer enjoyed a standout year, recognised for her consistency, creativity, and composure throughout the season,” said Norton.
Akira McCormack will continue in the goal attack role and is poised for a big year. “After a solid 2025 season, Akira McCorrack’s confidence and belief in her game have grown, and we’re excited to see her have a huge year,” said Norton. “With serious speed and the ability to impact contests, she can turn the momentum of a match in an instant, while her strong connections with teammates make her a real force across the court.”
Predominant goal shooter Claire Oakley has also re-signed, bringing height, accuracy and experience to this side.
The team’s new goaler is Matilda McIntyre, who joins from City West Falcons. She is a versatile athlete, playing across goal attack, goal shooter, and wing attack last VNL season.
New training partner Abbey Sharrock, who has been elevated from Lightning’s development squad, will provide extra goal and wing attack cover after making her VNL debut last season.
Coaches
Melbourne University Lightning coaching panel remains unchanged, with Tegan Hopkins continuing as director of netball and Championship assistant coach, and Sarah Mylrea as Championship head coach.
23&Under head coach Steph Norton and assistant coach Jacqui Harrington will push for a second consecutive premiership.
Jasmine Lefebure joins the club as an apprentice coach. “An emerging young coach at just 23, Jasmine has an impressive resume of experience from school through to state men’s programs,” said club administrator John Tran.
