By Amelia Barnes
Melbourne University Lightning 23&Under head coach Stephanie Norton shares the standout performances from their 2025 premiership-winning VNL season.
Melbourne University Lightning (MUL) delivered a full squad performance and peaked at the right time to take out the 2025 23&Under division premiership in the Victorian Netball League (VNL).
Stepping up as the team’s head coach for the first time, Stephanie Norton guided the side to finish second on the ladder during the regular season, before defeating North East Blaze on their fourth attempt in the preliminary final, and winning 54-42 over Geelong Cougars in the grand final.
Norton reflects on the season that was.
Key matches
After missing the grand final by just a goal in 2024, Lightning recruited well and started the 2025 season strong with five consecutive wins of 11 goals or more.
Their first loss came against North East Blaze (52-40) in Round 6 – the first of four matches between the sides in 2025. Head coach Norton and assistant coach Jacqui Harrington played the entire game day squad on this occasion, including several rotations between the four shooters Kate O’Dwyer, Akira McCormack, Claire Oakley, and Annecy Lyon to strengthen combinations and test key matchups.
MUL’s second loss was in Round 10, when a 17-8 final quarter wasn’t enough to overcome a slow start against City West Falcons, who won 58-51.
A consistent performance against the competitive Bendigo Strikers in Round 11 (59-56) put MUL in good stead for the second half of the season, helping them defeat City West Falcons when meeting again in Round 14 (60-52).
MUL played North East Blaze for a second time in Round 16, losing by just a goal despite a strong second half. The coaches again rotated all 12 athletes throughout the match, with only in-form goal keeper Tilly Shepherd playing four quarters.
The team finished the regular season with a second-place ladder position, offering them a crucial second chance at making the grand final.
Round 1 of finals saw MUL’s biggest loss of the year, going down by 11 to minor premiers North East Blaze. Blaze only made one change during this game, while MUL struggled to deliver the ball safely down court in the 58-47 loss.
It was a completely different story in the preliminary final where MUL finally defeated Blaze 64-46 – a huge 27-goal turnaround from their match just two weeks prior. Lightning found their form via goal attack Annecy Lyon who shot 19 goals at 100% and rewarded turnovers gained by Shepherd and Dayna Williams in defence, forcing Blaze to make changes in almost every position.
Geelong Cougars came out of the blocks strong in the grand final, but little could be done to stop Shepherd at goal keeper who claimed 10 gains. Captain Montaya Sardi was a rock in centre with her safe hands, intercepts, and ability to connect with rotating goal attacks McCormack and Lyon. O’Dwyer was also unflappable at goal shooter, sinking 34 goals at 94% accuracy. MUL went into the final quarter up by 4 and pushed out to a 12-goal lead to win 54-42.
Standout performances
MUL’s 2025 campaign saw multiple players in career-best form, including dominant attacking midcourter Millie Hogg who won the team’s MVP and made the league’s 23&Under Team of the Year for the second year in a row. “Her reliability and hard work are truly impressive, and she always gives her all,” said Norton.
Shepherd continued to improve throughout the season with opportunities to step up in the Championship division. She was also named in the league’s 23&Under Team of the Year, as well as Player of the Match in the grand final, and the team's runner up MVP. Shepherd’s dominance on court quickly proved the team could still perform without their 2024 MVP and fellow defender Charlee Kemp, who was elevated to the club’s Championship roster full time following Round 3.
Sardi led by example both on and off the court as captain, earning the team’s MVP of the Finals award. “Her straightforward approach to netball earned her the respect of the entire team,” said Norton.
O’Dwyer was a pillar of strength in goals with her accuracy and adaptability. “Her consistency in attack and accuracy at the post made her such a reliable target in our attack end,” said Norton.
MUL showcased their club’s depth with players from their Futures sides stepping into the match day squad throughout the season, including Abbey Sharrock who made her VNL debut in Round 5.
Training partner Abbey Hogg, sister of Millie Hogg, also played much of the season, showing why she’s been selected in the 2026 17/U State Team.
Next season
Coaches Norton and Harrington have re-signed for season 2026 with the aim of securing back-to-back premierships.
There’s been some athlete movement in the off season, with Shepherd, Sardi, and midcourter Lily Davis all being elevated to MUL’s Championship division team. Williams has moved to Bendigo Strikers’ Championship division team, and Lyon has signed with North East Blaze.
In their place, MUL have elevated Sharrock, agile defender Bella Collodetti, and 2026 17/U State team defender Cleo McLachlan from their Futures side, and welcomed two new faces in goaler Matilda McIntyre from City West Falcons, and defender Brianna McCrindle. Midcourter Clara Choi returns to the side after battling leukaemia.
“I definitely feel that we’ve got a great team and we have every opportunity to take another premiership,” said Norton. “We might look different, however, we have a great combination of experience, youth and an exceptional amount of depth with all of our squad, including our training partners.”
