It’s a new era for Geelong Cougars with longtime head coach Gerard Murphy earning the top job at Melbourne Mavericks in Suncorp Super Netball (SSN). He remains involved with Cougars as a mentor coach, while Mel Savage officially takes the reins as head coach.
Savage will lead a relatively stable Championship roster, headlined by 2026 Melbourne Vixens training partner Ally O'Connor, and former SSN player Melissa Bragg who is returning to the VNL.
The 23&Under team is backing up a huge 2025 season finishing runners up. Keep an eye on 19/U Victorian State team athlete Mia Aitken as a player of the future.
Championship athletes
2025 VNL finish: 9th
In: Alex Booker (Melbourne University Lightning), Melissa Bragg (returning to club), Stephanie Boyce
Returning: Alahria Smith, Emma Buwalda, Carly Sanders (elevated from training partner), Charli Nicol, Kiahna Fallon, Ally O'Connor, Indya Forde, Ashlee Smith
Out: Brooke Allan, Charlotte Morey, Daisy O’Kane, Elisa Hall, Olivia Taylor, Elli Leydin
Geelong Cougars’ Championship team started the 2025 VNL season strong but dropped to 9th place by season’s end – their lowest finish in several years.
To boost their midcourt cover, the team has signed Melissa Bragg, who played SSN for Collingwood Magpies in 2020-2021, and is returning to Cougars after playing AFLW for Geelong Cats since 2022. “She is a wonderful leader and sets the standard on and off the court with her wonderful work ethic and high-performance behaviours,” said Geelong Cougars head coach Mel Savage. “You just have to watch her train to know how driven she is to do her best. She plays across all three midcourt positions, adding great depth and versatility to our list.”
Alex Booker has also been recruited from Melbourne University Lightning for her versatility as both a midcourt and goaling option. She played across goal attack, wing attack, centre and goal shooter last VNL season. “She’s a great Geelong talent who will bring incredible speed and creativity to the team,” said Savage.
These new athletes will connect with Cougars’ star midcourter, Ally O'Connor, who has signed as 2026 Melbourne Vixens training partner after dominating the Hampden Football Netball League for years. “She brings experience, speed, and versatility to all three midcourt positions,” said Savage.
Attacking midcourter Alahria Smith has re-signed for her second year in this team, and defensive midcourter Kiahna Fallon for her third.
In the defence end, Indya Forde is ready for another big year, after taking out the team’s Best and Fairest Award in 2025. “Indya really stood out in an up and down season for the Championship team. She was consistent each game, and I think she is going to be even better in 2026,” said Savage.
She will again partner with Charli Nicol who is an experienced pathway athlete, and like Forde, a training partner for the 2026 Melbourne Vixens Reserves side.
Rounding out the defence is predominant goal keeper Stephanie Boyce, who has officially signed with the team. “Steph played a number of games in Championship last season and has now stepped up as a permanent member of our team,” said Savage. “She’s a tall defender who has had a huge pre-season and continues to grow after every session on court.”
These defenders will be required to step up in the absence of longtime Cougar Brooke Allan, who has moved interstate for university commitments.
The team’s goalers are all re-signed players, including predominant goal attack Emma Buwalda, and Ashlee Smith who can alternatively play all over the court.
Dual basketball-netballer Carly Sanders has been officially elevated from a training partner and is expected to have a strong season. “She’s a clever holding goaler who thrives under physical pressure,’ said Savage. “She is a talent and one of the most likeable people at our club.”
23&Under athletes
2025 VNL finish: 5th in regular season, 2nd in finals
In: Eliza Hannagan, Eliza Oxley, Sienna Butcher – training partner, Indiah Madden – training partner, Alexandra Whatley – training partner
Returning: Georgia Howell, Monique Parker, Mia Aitken, Indi O'Connor, Eliza Dunell, Zoey Shaw, Keeley Smith, Maddie Mickovski, Mimi Lockwood, Louise Shaw
Out: Charli Hoey (Hawks Netball), Charlize Bellette (Western Warriors), Hollie Phillips, Makeely Rogers, Kiralee Collings
Geelong’s 23&Under team finished the 2025 season strong as they solidified connections, going on to make the grand final after finishing the regular season in fifth. They’ve re-signed the bulk of their roster and signed some fresh faces to fill newfound gaps in defence and goals.
“Knowing that we have had minimal changes to our team is super exciting to see where they can take their game too,” said Savage. “They’re an incredibly disciplined and driven group. They love playing together.”
Leading the way on court will be Mia Aitken (GD/WD), who will represent Victoria for a fourth year at the upcoming National Netball Championships. Aiken has also achieved 17/U National Squad selection in 2024, 19/U in 2025, and is a training partner for the Melbourne Mavericks 2026 Super Netball Reserves team. Coach Savage said Aitken continues to improve. “She has taken her game to the next level. She’s incredibly fit and strong… What’s been impressive is her leadership amongst this young group with the departure of Charli Hoey.”
Aitken will again partner with re-signed defenders Georgia Howell (GK) and Keeley Smith (GD/GK).
Eliza Hannagan is the team’s new defender, who will help fill the shoes of their 2025 MVP and Melbourne Mavericks training partner Charli Hoey, who has moved to Hawks Netball. “Eliza is a dynamic GD/WD who has impressed with her speed and athleticism around the court,” said Savage.
GK/GD and dual Australian Rules footballer Alexandra Whatley has also been signed as a training partner.
Geelong have signed an unchanged midcourt, starting with their 2025 runner up MVP, Mimi Lockwood.
C/WA Louise Shaw is back after a standout individual 2025 season, Maddie Mickovski will again cover all three midcourt positions, and Zoey Shaw will be a pillar in WD/C.
2026 17/U State Team athlete Indiah Madden (C/WA) has also signed as a training partner.
In goals, predominant GA Indi O'Connor has re-signed for her second year in the VNL. She shot 288 goals at 87% last season and has been selected in the 17/U Victorian State team for a second consecutive year.
O’Connor will again partner with Eliza Dunell, who shot 547 goals at 84% last VNL season, including 30 goals at 90% in the grand final.
They’ve welcomed Eliza Oxley into the fold, who provides another tall and strong goaling option.
These goalers will be supported by new training partner Sienna Butcher, who plays A Grade in the Bellarine Football Netball League.
Coaches
Following her success with the 23&Under side, and over a decade at the club, pathway experienced coach Mel Savage has stepped up to cover both of Geelong Cougars’ VNL teams as head coach in 2026.
She will continue to be supported by Gerard Murphy as a mentor coach, and Guy McCleish, who is the 23&Under assistant coach. McCleish is also a coach in the Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association program.
Nikki Mortimer and Jill Leader are Geelong’s new development coaches for 2026. Both are returning to Cougars after stepping away for work commitments.
