Written by Amelia Barnes
Wilson Storage Southern Saints started their VNL Championship season strong in 2023 but lost steam after a series of defender injuries.
They’re back in 2024 with a point to prove and a defence-heavy lineup featuring new recruit Jessie Grenvold (Australian 21/U Squad member and Melbourne Mavericks training partner) who has moved to Victoria from South Australia.
The 23&Under side is stacked with talent including multiple players with Championship experience in the mix.
Watch the Wilson Storage Southern Saints at their home court at Mentone Grammar in Rounds 9 and 17.
Championship Athletes
If recent history is anything to go by, the Saints’ shooting circle is in very good hands in 2024.
Emily Andrew will no doubt retain her starting GS spot after a stellar 2023 season that saw her named in VNL’s 2023 Championship Team of the Year, the Australian 21/U Squad, and winning tournament MVP at the Australian Netball Championships (ANC) where she shot at 93% accuracy.
“Emily's looking sensational in terms of the way she's playing,” said Saints 23&Under co-coach Matt Cooke. “She's looking fitter and stronger than last year and obviously that's down to work she does at Vixens and the extra programs she's involved in.”
The 191cm shooter has re-signed as a Melbourne Vixens training partner for her third year in 2024 and will be accompanied in the goal circle at Saints by teenager Lily Graham, who moves up from Division 1. Graham and Andrew played together for Victorian Fury at ANC and have already established a formidable connection.
Saints’ last goaler is a new addition to the club in Lauren Spinks who comes across from Peninsula Waves.
Most of the Saints’ midcourt have experience at the club, including Sarah Mathews who returns after injury.
Alex Moody is also back in the fold after a series of injuries in recent years that have kept her away from consistent netball. “She's come back from a number of injuries and she's looking really, really fit,” said Cooke. “She's an incredibly good player.”
Rylee Nelson has re-signed and will again provide a speedy and crafty presence in the midcourt.
Georgie Whittle is another familiar face who provides great versatility across WD/C and can easily swing back into GK/GD.
Joining Saints and the VNL for the first time is defensive midcourter Jordyn Adams who has moved to Melbourne from South Australia. Adams has been a part of the elite South Australian pathway with experience in several state teams.
Adams will feel at home at Saints alongside her friend and Australian 21/U Squad member Jessie Grenvold, who has also moved from South Australia. With previous Saints defender Ashlee Barnett returning to Queensland, Grenvold will provide the club with star power and the ability to consistently win ball back.
“I think Jessie Grenvold is a very unique talent,” said Cooke. “Trying to find genuine circle defenders that can create turnovers like she can is very hard.”
In addition to the Saints, Grenvold is gearing up for a big 2024 after signing as a training partner for the Melbourne Mavericks.
Another standout defender is Mia van Wyk who officially joins the Saints’ Championship team for the first time. The athletic WD/GD/GK has swiftly risen through the VNL and Victorian pathway – from the VNL 19&Under Team of the Year in 2022, to the Championship level and selection in the current 19/U Victorian State team.
Jordan Pyle also officially moves up to Championship level from Division 1 after seamlessly stepping up to cover in the Saints’ Championship team on multiple occasions in 2023.
They'll both team up with Caitlin Cooke, who returns to the side after an ACL injury cut her previous season short.
GD/GK Anna Donnelly re-joins the Saints after multiple seasons at Boroondara Express.
The defence-heavy lineup will ensure Saints have the depth and talent required to push for a finals spot in 2024.
23&Under Athletes
Wilson Storage Southern Saints’ focus on blooding young new talent in recent years is paying off, with many of their experienced athletes still eligible to play in the 23&Under division.
First up is Mia Washington who returns to the Saints for her sixth year, and Hayley Howard who recorded many standout performances in Division 1 throughout 2023.
Rose Laidlaw is another seasoned VNL player who has proven her ability to shoot quickly and accurately under pressure.
GA Annecy Lyon will join them in the goal circle after impressing for Ariels throughout 2023 and making the 2024 17/U Victorian State team. Lyon comes from an athletic family, including her dad Ross Lyon, AFL head coach of the St Kilda Football Club.
Keep an eye on shooter Hayley Ray as one to watch this season. She previously had a taste of VNL at North East Blaze, but is predicted to have a breakout year after impressing at state trials.
“She’s an up-and-coming talent who we're hoping can make a real impact this year on the VNL landscape,” said Cooke.
The midcourt features four returning Saints players: the versatile and experienced Holly Garac; defensive midcourter and 2024 17/U Victorian State team member Leila Simpson; WD/C Zoe Leaver who is back from injury; and speedy playmaker Lily Davis.
Cassie Anderson has been selected to make her VNL debut for her work rate and accurate feeding ability.
Saints’ 23&Under defenders will be led by tall GK Saachi Donald who proved her worth filling in at Championship level for the club in 2023.
She’ll be complemented by the game smarts of Lenna Bruun who had several standout Division 1 performances last year; Charlize Reid who joins from Melbourne University Lightning’s 19&Under premiership side; Lucinda Gatt from Boroondara Express; and GD/WD Rachel Walker from Ariels.
Coaches
Netball legend Jane Searle is back for another year as the Saints’ head and Championship coach. The former Australian Diamond is incredibly experienced, with previous titles including assistant coach to the Australian Diamonds; West Coast Fever coach in the ANZ Championship; and Adelaide Thunderbirds assistant coach in the SSN, just to name a few.
Searle brings passion and defensive mindset to the club, with the ability to develop players quickly. She was the Saints head VNL coach from 2012 to 2015, before resuming the top position in 2022.
Leah Percy will again support Searle as the Championship specialist coach. Percy previously played under Searle in the Saints’ 2014 VNL Championship and remains heavily involved in sport today as a netball coach and an elite touch football player.
“She can seriously still bring it,” said Cooke of Percy.
Matt Cooke and Jacqui Carroll will continue in their roles as 23&Under co-coaches.
“We have very similar styles in terms of our skill development and how we approach a game,” said Cooke.
“Jacqui's a much heavier defensive-minded coach, and I'm probably leaning towards the attacking space, so we bounce off each other really well.”
“We're very comfortable coaching as a unit. We're better coaching as a unit.”
Carroll is a former VNL player herself, while Cooke started out as a junior football coach before being introduced to netball when watching his daughter Caitlin (who now plays for the club’s Championship side) and rising through the coaching pathway.
Wilson Storage Southern Saints 2024 Squads
Championship
Alex Moody
Anna Donnelly
Caitlin Cooke
Emily Andrew
Georgie Whittle
Jessie Grenvold
Jordyn Pyle
Jordyn Adams
Lauren Spinks
Lily Graham
Mia van Wyk
Rylee Nelson
Sarah Mathews
Head & Championship coach: Jane Searle
Specialist coach: Leah Percy
23&Under
Annecy Lyon
Cassie Anderson
Charlize Reid
Hayley Howard
Hayley Ray
Holly Garac
Leila Simpson
Lenna Bruun
Lily Davis
Lucinda Gatt
Mia Washington
Rachael Walker
Rose Laidlaw
Zoe Leaver
Saachi Donald
Coaches: Matt Cooke and Jacqui Carroll
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View the 2024 VNL fixture
