All it took was one “yes” and Sacha McDonald was ready to take on the world.
Well, London.
The Victorian attacker had signed with London Pulse in the Netball Super League (NSL), and alongside her best friend Tayla Honey, was set to chase a netball dream on the other side of the globe.
McDonald and Honey were more than just teammates – they were inseparable. Roommates, former Melbourne Vixens training partners and managed by the same agent, the pair was a package deal. If Honey hadn’t agreed, McDonald wouldn’t have gone either.
“The chance to go to London came through Tayla first,” McDonald explains. “Then with a bit of help from our manager, the duo deal came about. We both said yes after talking it over. I think I convinced her more than she convinced me.
“It was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
After two seasons with the Pulse, McDonald returned to Australia feeling adrift. Her time in elite netball seemed finished, and she was ready to trade court life for a new chapter—one focused on study, work and life outside the game.
“I felt content with what I’d achieved and wanted more life balance. It felt like the beginning of adult life after London. I wasn’t even sure I’d go back to VNL.”
But life had other plans.
Casey Demons head coach Steve Murray managed to convince McDonald to lace up once more. Hesitant at first, she eventually returned to the VNL—and rediscovered her love for the game in the process.
“The VNL’s a good balance between social netball and competitiveness; I mean some of the best netballers in Victoria are playing there.
“It's still a cut-throat game, but the pressure isn’t on me nearly as much. I'm glad I said yes, but it wasn't an immediate yes.”
Despite her return to familiar territory, there were new challenges. McDonald, a lifelong goal attack, began nudging for more time in the midcourt. It worked.
Murray turned to McDonald at training one day and said “Well, that's where I'm playing you. I'm not playing you in goal attack anyway”. The stars aligned and it worked out perfectly.
“Learning a new position made me feel alive again. It’s a completely different game in the midcourt — you’re running a different direction, defending, attacking, everything changes.”
“I've been playing goal attack my whole career and this becomes repetitive after 15-20 years of playing it.
Now McDonald was repping the centre bib for the Demons, or so she thought.
The now adapted midcourter still practices her shots at the post because as she’s been needed at goal attack at times in the red and navy blue.
“I’ve matured with my netball. I’m happy to play wherever now,” she says. “Letting go of expectations has been freeing. I’m just here to enjoy it.”
That mindset opened the door to her latest chapter. A spot in the inaugural Melbourne Mavericks Super Netball Reserves team. Without pressure or expectation, McDonald trialled “just to see” and not only earned selection but was named captain.
The Mavericks program has emerged as a crucial stepping stone, offering VNL players a platform to push for national recognition.
McDonald trialled in both goals and midcourt, not sure of where her path would take her. Mavericks head coach Tracey Brereton laid it out on the table for McDonald. She was a goaler who can swing into the midcourt. As simple as that.
With SSN opportunities opening up — Uneeq Palavi stepping up to the Suncorp Super Netball side and Nyah Allen under medical management — McDonald has been a regular in the circle once again.
The 25-year-old is very grateful for the opportunities presented to her throughout the years and will forever be more appreciative if another chance were to come to fruition.
