Written by Amelia Barnes
The Western Warriors have officially joined the Victorian Netball League, providing more netball and pathway opportunities to those in Melbourne’s booming north-west fringe.
The club has announced its first Championship and 23&Under teams, bringing together a combination of local athletes, and those with previous VNL experience.
Western Warriors are based at Cobblebank Stadium in Melton where they’ll host their first home game in Round 8 against Hawks Netball.
The club will host home games across two additional venues throughout the season to reach as many fans as possible: Bacchus Marsh in Round 13 against Geelong Cougars, and Ballarat’s Selkirk Stadium in Round 19 against Melbourne University Lightning.
“Hopefully prospective players will see a lot of homegrown faces and see that opportunities close to home do exist,” said Western Warriors head coach Kim Bailey.
“We are located in one of the fastest growth corridors in the state, so hopefully we will be able to capitalise on that in the future and develop some awesome local talent.”
Championship Athletes
Warriors have assembled an exciting team of Suncorp Super Netball-experienced players and up and coming talent for their first VNL Championship side.
The attacking spine will be built around Julia Woolley (GA/GS) and Vanessa Augustini (WA/C), both of whom have previously been in the Collingwood Magpies environment and played together for several years at Geelong Cougars.
“They just have a sixth sense about where the other is going and the speed of the release between them is amazing,” Bailey said.
During pre-season, Woolley has developed a great connection with Kim Borger (GS/GA) who joins the Warriors after playing for the Melbourne Vixens in 2023.
“Julia Woolley and Kim Borger in the circle have been incredible to watch,” said Bailey. “Two of the smartest and most experienced players in the competition, they look like they have played together for years – not just months.”
Rounding out the goal circle is Akira McCormack (GA/GS) who takes the big step up to Championship level after a great 2023 season in 19&Under with Melbourne University Lightning. McCormack was named the Grand Final MVP and was in the 2023 19&Under Team of the Year alongside Ruby Shannon (C/WA) who joins from North East Blaze.
Shannon also had a breakout 2023 season, being selected for the Victorian Fury and the 2023 19/Under State team. “Ruby comes to us from Blaze and is an absolute dynamo in the midcourt. Explosive speed, great game sense and incredible work rate,” said Bailey.
Simona Di Filippo (C/WA) is another dynamic and speedy midcourter with impressive credentials. She won the 2022 VNL 19&Under MVP playing for Hawks Netball, and more recently the 2023 Sally McLean Medal as the Ballarat Football Netball League A-Grade best and fairest player at 20 years of age.
Olivia Ellis (WD) has moved across from North East Blaze to make her first Championship side after back-to-back inclusions in the VNL Division 1 Team of the Year.
Chenile Chandler (WD/GD/GK) also steps up to Championship level after her first year in VNL playing for Melbourne University Lightning in Division 1. Chandler’s fitness allows her to run rings around opponents at WD or provide a point of difference in the defence end.
Midcourter Georgia Hellyer sustained a knee injury in 2023 but is expected to return to court for Warriors later in the season.
Warriors’ defence end includes experienced VNL players Jasmine Fraser (formerly of Melbourne University Lightning) and Elly Randall (formerly of Ariels), the latter who played under head coach Kim Bailey for Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Football Netball League in 2023.
Georgia Berry provides great height at GK, and has previous VNL experience playing for City West Falcons and Ballarat Sovereigns.
Look out for Ella Ogier (formerly of Ariels) who returns to netball after an extended period in the US playing college basketball.
23&Under Athletes
Bailey has recruited players from local leagues to field the club’s first 23&Under VNL team, including defender Eliza Gollant and shooter Tara O'Grady who Bailey coaches at Sunbury Lions.
Both have previously played in Melbourne University Lightning’s Division 1 team and return to the VNL after a year off.
“Tara O’Grady’s work rate in GA is elite and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do back in a VNL position,” said Bailey.
Almost every player in the squad has some form of VNL experience, including midcourter Brydi Hutchinson (Ariels Championship), defender Iris Bentley (Casey Demons Division 1), midcourter Kiralee Collings (City West Falcons 19&U), shooter Leona Hristovska (Ariels Division 1), shooter Narena Baker (Hawks Netball 19&U), midcourter Sarah Croft (Melbourne University Lightning 19&U), and defender Shaid Sasalu (Melbourne University Lightning 19&U).
Rosie Todd and Sadie Cheesman also come across from Geelong Cougars’ 19&U team. “They read well off each other and link up wonderfully through the midcourt,” said Bailey.
“It is a pretty experienced squad to be honest and we’re really looking forward to seeing what they can do,” said Bailey.
Among players making their VNL debuts are Kiara Boyd, Olivia Powell, and 17-year-old shooter Ella Closter from Bacchus Marsh. “I have had my eye on her for a little while now,” said Bailey of Closter.
Coaches
Kim Bailey has been appointed Western Warriors’ head/Championship coach.
She previously coached at the VNL Division 1 level for ACU Sovereigns and Geelong Cougars where she learned from coaches including Johannah Munro (née Curran) and Gerard Murphy.
Bailey then took a break from match day coaching, before returning to lead the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Football Netball League in 2023.
“I joined Warriors as I love coaching and wanted to get back into the swing of things,” she said.
“Warriors offers a different pathway for the north west as there is so much talent out there.”
Bailey has also been the head coach for the Western region in Netball Victoria’s Talent Academy since 2020.
In addition to playing in the Championship side, Kim Borger will coach the 23&Under team. She’ll bring her knowledge of netball to the court as a current player and experienced athlete across the SSN and former ANZ competitions in Australia, and the UK’s Netball Super League.
“Kim brings a level of professionalism to our club and has thrown herself into the club like nothing I have ever seen. Her passion and commitment are second to none,” said Bailey.
“She is a quality person both on and off the court and the 23s are very lucky to have someone like her imparting her knowledge to them.”
Western Warriors 2024 Squads
Championship
Akira McCormack
Chenile Chandler
Ella Ogier
Elly Randall
Georgia Berry
Georgia Hellyer
Jasmine Fraser
Julia Woolley
Kim Borger
Olivia Ellis
Ruby Shannon
Simona Di Filippo
Vanessa Augustini
Head coach: Kim Bailey
23&Under
Brydi Hutchinson
Eliza Gollant
Ella Closter
Iris Bentley
Kiara Boyd
Kiralee Collings
Leona Hristovska
Narena Baker
Olivia Powell
Rosie Todd
Sadie Cheesman
Sarah Croft
Shaid Sasalu
Tara O'Grady
Coach: Kim Borger
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View the 2024 VNL fixture
