North East Blaze is taking a club-first mentality into the 2026 Victorian Netball League (VNL). Rather than having strict Championship and 23&Under team lists, the club will reward athletes based on form throughout the season.
“We wish to maintain flexibility and ensure we are able to recognise and reward athletes based on performance,” explained North East Blaze head Ella Bayliss. “We are really excited to see what our 23&Under elevated athletes do with this opportunity. We believe the injection of these players is really exciting for not only our Championship team, but also our club’s development program.”
In the Championship division, Bayliss is striving for consistency in the quest to return to finals.
The 23&Under team finished the 2025 regular season on top of the ladder but fell short in finals when suffering multiple injuries. They are pushing for a premiership, bolstered by some 19/U State Team athletes.
In: Ella Roberton (Peninsula Waves), Zanna Punshon (Boroondara Express), Natalie McDonald (North East Blaze Reserves), Annecy Lyon (Melbourne University Lightning), Jacinta McGinley (Boroondara Express), Mackenzie O'Dwyer (Bendigo Strikers), Alice O'Callaghan (Melbourne University Lightning Reserves), Annabel Sheppard (Gippsland Stars), Mackenzie Oracz – training partner, Maddy Kirk – training partner (Melbourne University Lightning)
Returning: Georgia Moody, Kaitlyn Black, Tayissa Coppinger, Maddi Wallmeyer, Georgia Bowkett, Tara Watson, Ella Tennant, Madeline George, Ava Upton, Annie Harvey, Taiysha Wallis, Olivia Cawthray, Eliza Molino, Ayva Tanfara, Teaghan Coen, Claudia Semos, Genesis Foster-Jonassen, Abby Akers
Out: Brodie Smith, Kali Dolphin (Western Warriors), Mia Lavis (Western Warriors), Nyah Allen, Ruby Tidd, Sam Silvester (Gippsland Stars), Alyssa Pearse, Dee Dee Lambert (Peninsula Waves), Georgia Shattock (Boroondara Express), Kaylah Loulanting, Ally Langdon, Ava Lockwood
Goalers
North East Blaze has welcomed several new goalers to their roster following the departure of Melbourne Vixens training partner Mia Lavis to Western Warriors, Sam Silvester to Gippsland Stars, and Nyah Allen who has returned home to South Australia.
Georgia Moody will lead the club as their experienced goal attack who can also swing into the midcourt. She continues to improve as a netballer, winning Blaze’s Championship MVP award in 2025. “Competitive and resilient – Georgia is the definition of hard work,” said Bayliss.
Joining Moody in the goal circle is Zanna Punshon (née Woods) who joins from Boroondara Express with significant VNL and pathway experience. “Zanna is an incredibly clever player – her direction and smarts on court are something I am truly excited for. She is a player that stands up in pressure situations and doesn’t back down from a challenge,” said Bayliss.
Blaze has signed Ella Roberton from Peninsula Waves who has recovered from an ACL injury. “She is a dynamic goaler playing either a holding or moving position,” said Bayliss. “Ella provides great versatility and depth for our attack end.”
Ella Tennant is back after making the 2025 VNL 23&Under Team of the Year. She can cover both goals and the midcourt with her creative and exciting style of play. “Having a standout 23&Under season in 2025, we are thrilled to elevate her into Championship for 2026 and watch her prosper in this new look team,” said Bayliss.
Blaze has no shortage of young shooting talent, including re-signed goal shooter
Olivia Cawthray. The accurate and adaptable goaler had a standout 2025 earning the league’s 23&Under Hot Shot award for most goals scored, making the 23&Under Team of the Year, and playing internationally in the Australian Mixed Open team. “She has been building for years and we know in 2026 she will continue to take her game to new heights, really pushing for a Championship opportunity,” said Bayliss of Cawthray.
Ava Upton has officially signed to the club’s 23&Under roster following two years as a training partner. She earned valuable VNL court time last season and was Blaze’s Reserves team MVP. “I’m excited to see what 18-year-old Ava Upton does with this opportunity after having an incredible impact during our 2025 finals campaign,” said Bayliss. “She is a creative playmaker who we will utilise in both goals and midcourt.” Upton is also a reserve athlete in the 2026 19/U Victorian State Team.
Upton’s graceful movement will be complemented by the dynamic style of new goaler
Annecy Lyon who has signed after winning a 23&Under VNL premiership with Melbourne University Lightning in 2025. She is also an experienced pathway athlete and member of the 2026 19/U State Team. “Annecy has come into Blaze like a breath of fresh air. She is dynamic, versatile and accurate, we know she is going to have a huge impact on this group,” said Bayliss.
Blaze has also signed Lyon’s 19/U State Team 193cm-tall teammate Alice O'Callaghan who can play in either goals or defence. The 18-year-old has been selected in Netball Australia's underage National Squads for the past two years, and she was the Melbourne University Lightning Reserves MVP in 2025. She will also train with Melbourne Mavericks’ Super Netball Reserves team in 2026. “Alice comes to us with so much potential. She provides a strong target for us at the post or playing that shutdown role in defence, contesting everything that comes her way,” said Bayliss.
Strong moving goaler Natalie McDonald will play across the Blaze’s Reserves and VNL sides this year.
Midcourters
Blaze’s midcourters will need to stand up in 2026 as their star player and Melbourne Vixen training partner Tara Watson rehabs an ACL injury. “We will be guided by the Vixens’ medical staff on her rehab and any return to play plan,” said Bayliss.
Two-time VNL Division One MVP (2019 and 2023) Maddi Wallmeyer (WA/C) will lead this area with her clever and quick style of play. “Maddi has been a huge part of our club for many years, constantly driving our club values and being that go-to player people look to for guidance on and off the court,” said Bayliss.
Wallmeyer will be an important mentor to several young Blaze midcourters this season, including defensive midcourter Ayva Tanfara, who is looking strong after suffering stress fractures in 2025. “Ayva’s preseason has been so impressive – she is athletic and versatile. I believe she is going to have a huge 2026,” said Bayliss. Despite injury, Tanfara still made the league’s 23&Under Team of the Year in 2025.
Likewise, Teaghan Coen (WA/C) was a standout in 2025 with her smart, slick, and determined play. “I am so excited for her to grow again in 2026 – she is one to watch,” said Bayliss.
Annie Harvey (WD/C) will return to court this year following a 2024 ACL injury. “She is currently having an excellent pre-season, proving she has put in the work and is ready to hit the court,” said Bayliss.
Blaze is proud to welcome Mackenzie O'Dwyer (WA/C) from Bendigo Strikers. The 18-year-old from Barooga has made multiple Victorian State Teams, the 2025 19/U National Squad, and is a 2026 Melbourne Mavericks Reserves training partner. “She comes with great knowledge of the game at such a young age,” said Bayliss.
Look for 2025 training partner Claudia Semos to debut in the VNL after winning Blaze’s Reserve team MVP Runner Up in 2025.
Semos will also play across the club’s Reserves side again this season alongside Genesis Foster-Jonassen who is coming off an outstanding campaign at the Netball World Youth Cup representing Cook Islands.
Mackenzie Oracz (WD/C) has signed as training partner, bringing her grit and determination. “Athletic and elite in running, Mackenzie brings speed and dynamic power into our squad,” said Bayliss.
Maddy Kirk (WD/C) is another training partner and defensive midcourt option. She was a regular NSW Premier League Opens athlete from 2019-2023 and has NSW State Mixed Team Reserves experience.
Defenders
North East Blaze’s defence end remains in safe hands with club stalwarts Kaitlyn Black and Tayissa Coppinger both re-signing.
Black was recently made a Blaze Life Member, and the mum of two recently achieved the highest score in the club’s pre-season Yo-Yo Test. “She is always looking to push herself even further. The ultimate perfectionist… she is always willing to do what is best for the team/club and we can’t wait to see her thrive in 2026,” said Bayliss.
Coppinger is the most VNL-experienced current athlete in the league having played 17 seasons to date. She continues to shine, winning the team’s MVP Runner Up in 2025, and playing across the court. “Ty is the definition of consistent,” said Bayliss. “Her competitive nature mixed with her agile strength and speed are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why we love her.”
This dynamic duo will again link up with Georgia Bowkett (GK/GD/WD), known as the team’s silent assassin. “Georgia continues to go from strength to strength,” said Bayliss. “Whether it is contesting in the air or her sleek switches in the circle, she is constantly causing chaos on court.”
Eliza Molino also returns, after winning Blaze’s 23&Under Rising Star award last season despite some ankle niggles. “Eliza has stepped up into such a leader for our current 23s group,” said Bayliss. “We’re looking for her to take this into her 2026 season and continue to build into the dependable and smart player she is.”
Madeline George (GD/GK/WD) is another exciting defender with Championship level experience and potential to move into the midcourt.
New to Blaze this season is Jacinta McGinley from Boroondara Express. “Dogged and relentless are the words that come to mind when I think about Jacinta,” said Bayliss. “She is a competitor and dedicated to the team on and off the court.”
Blaze is also excited to have Annabel Sheppard joining from Gippsland Stars. “She’s smart and creative in defence, and constantly looking to better herself for the team,” said Bayliss.
Tall and rangy defender Abby Akers will play across Blaze’s Reserves team and VNL in her third year at the club.
Coaches
It’s a new era for North East Blaze’s coaching staff with longtime head coach Kate Upton joining the Melbourne Vixens as their assistant coach.
Ella Bayliss is more than ready to step up into the top role after 12-plus years at the Blaze and heading up the 23&Under side. “Kate’s departure means our succession plan – which she was integral in helping formulate – was able to be enacted with the promotion of Ella Bayliss into the head coaching role,” said North East Blaze president Sarah Hogan.
“We are grateful for not only the on-court smarts and people management skills Kate exceptionally displayed during her time at Blaze, but the way in which she treated each person at the club with dignity, equality and kindness. This is something which both the management and coaching group are committed to upholding as an integral part of our culture as we move forward in this new era for Blaze.”
Jake Noonan returns as the Championship team assistant coach with another
Australian Men's & Mixed Netball Association (AMMNA) Championship win under his belt.
Sam McCarthy (née Coppinger) is Blaze’s new 23&Under assistant coach. She previously played 230 VNL games for the club and was part of their Reserves coaching staff in 2025.
These coaches will be supported by player Maddi Wallmeyer, who is starting her transition into coaching, and will work primarily with the 23&Under group.
Kelpies stalwart Riley Richardson is Blaze’s specialist coach who also contributes to their regional clinic program.
Brie Dejong, head coach of the Reserves team, will also be integral to Blaze’s coaching structure on VNL game night.
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