Written by Amelia Barnes
Wilson Storage Southern Saints have signed an exciting Championship roster for the 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) featuring former Melbourne Vixen Rahni Samason and former Giants Netball training partner Millie Roach.
Jessie Grenvold is poised for another strong VNL season after tying for the league’s MVP in 2024 and making her Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) debut for the Melbourne Mavericks.
Southern Saints’ 23&Under team has secured one of the biggest coaching signings in Sharni Norder. The former Australian Diamond and England Roses specialist coach will guide the club’s young side who have welcomed a handful of new faces.
Both teams placed 7th in their respective VNL divisions in 2024 and are pushing for a finals spot.
Wilson Storage Southern Saints will host home matches at Bayside Community Sports Centre (Sandringham) in Rounds 9 (Pride Round) and 15.
Championship athletes
The quality of Wilson Storage Southern Saints’ program was evident in 2024 with their athletes Lily Graham signing as a Melbourne Vixens replacement player, Emily Andrew as the Vixens’ 11th player, and Jessie Grenvold as a Melbourne Mavericks training partner who made her SSN debut.
There’s been a slight shake up this year, with Andrew departing the club to play in the UK’s Netball Super League.
Graham has also earned a full-time contract with the Vixens, although may still make VNL appearances depending on her SSN court time.
Grenvold (GK/GD) will step up on court following a tied league MVP performance in her first VNL season. Prior to moving to Victoria and joining the Melbourne Mavericks, Grenvold was a 2023 Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner.
“Jessie had a stellar first year in VNL. She is a great leader and mature beyond her years,” said Ross Payne, president of Wilson Storage Southern Saints. “Her ability to shut down players was on display for the whole year. The turnovers that came from Jessie’s work kept us in many games.”
At the other end of the court, Rahni Samason is returning to the VNL after playing for Northern Stars in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership (2024), and the Melbourne Vixens in SSN (2022-2023). Samason is known for her confidence to go to post from any distance, composure on court, and strength across GA and GS.
“We have reunited with Rahni who joined Saints as a junior. She has a long history with coaches Jane Searle and Leah Percy,” said Payne. “She will complement our other shooters and be a player who is hard to shut down.”
Also new to Saints’ shooting circle is Millicent Roach, who has moved from New South Wales. “Millie is an ideal swap for the departing Emily Andrew. She’s a tall, strong and accurate shooter who can switch to GA if needed,” said Payne.
Roach brings experience as a 2022 Giants Netball training partner, a member of the Australian 19/U Squad in 2020 and 2021, and Australian 21/U Squad in 2023.
“Millie is looking to enhance her skills and find other opportunities by moving states. The change of state is a big challenge for anyone, but I am sure Millie will fit right into our shooting circle,” said Payne.
The ability to recruit from interstate is a testament to Saints’ coaches and track record of developing players. “Having a coaching legend like Jane Searle is an attraction for interstate players,” said Payne. “Players also see that we have had Lily come through our program and now be on the Vixens’ list.”
Mia Washington (GS/GA) has officially joined Saints’ Championship team after stepping up to this level mid-2024 season.
Saints’ final shooter is new signing Tiahnee Farrell, who has moved from Boroondara Express.
In the midcourt, Saints have re-signed Alex Moody (C/WA) who will play her seventh VNL season in 2025.
Jordyn Adams (C/WD) has also re-signed following a strong first VNL season in 2024 after moving from South Australia.
This season marks an exciting return to the VNL for Kate Kelly-Oman (C/WA), who last played for Saints in 2017 and signed with Peninsula Waves in 2020. The fit midcourter brings pinpoint passing and Victorian Fury (open state team) experience to this side.
C/WD Holly Garac has been elevated to Saints’ Championship team following an outstanding 2024 season where she captained the club’s 23&Under side and was awarded their best and fairest.
Lavinia Fox has signed as a training partner who provides additional cover across wing attack and goal attack. She previously played for Melbourne University Lightning in the VNL.
In the defence end, Saachi Donald (GK/GD) will play her first full Championship season after being elevated by the club in the early rounds of 2024.
She will again play alongside Mia van Wyk, who made the Melbourne Vixens Super Netball Reserves team in 2024 and has experience in multiple state and national pathway squads.
One-on-one style defender Anna Donnelly (GD/GK) has also re-signed, rounding out Saints’ formidable defensive lineup.
Payne anticipates multiple players in this team reaching new heights in 2025.
“We expect Millie Roach, Rahni Samason, and Jessie Grenvold to have big years, but I think we have several players that want to make a statement and show they are ready to play at the next level,” he said.
"Don’t be surprised when Jordy Adams, Mia Van Wyk, and Tiahnee Farrell show what talent they have and have a big year at Saints.”
23&Under athletes
Southern Saints have retained most of the 2024 23&Under side who will provide them with VNL experience across the court.
“A more settled lineup and better connection down the court should result in more wins in 2025,” said Payne. “The narrow losses can turn into wins.”
Among the new faces is Ellarnah Hanlen (GA/GS) who brings VNL development experience from Hawks Netball and Peninsula Waves. The goaler had a huge 2024 in the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) winning the league best and fairest, and best on court in the grand final.
Hanlen joins Saints’ re-signed goaling trio: speedy and athletic Hayley Ray, accurate and quick thinking Rose Laidlaw, and tall and consistent Hayley Howard.
Ray’s older sister Olivia Ray (GS/GA) has moved from Peninsula Waves to sign as a training partner. “Both are shooters and it is great to have both with us,” said Payne. “We expect Olivia to push her sister hard and want her spot on court.”
Strategic and reliable player Zoe Leaver (C/WD) will guide her teammates as their most experienced midcourter this season. “Zoe Leaver has had an exceptional preseason and will lead from the front with her experience and determination,” said Payne.
She’ll form connections with new players Madison Foot (C/WA) from Geelong Cougars, and Alyssa Dreaneen (WA/C), who are both recognised for their speed and fitness. “Alyssa Dreaneen could be a surprise packet in the midcourt,” said Payne.
Re-signed and committed athlete Rachael Walker can safely deliver the ball through the midcourt in either wing or goal defence.
Walker will again link up with the team’s 2024 runner up best and fairest Lenna Bruun (GD/GK), agile Charlize Reid (GD/WD), and athletic Lucinda Gatt (GD/GK) who have all also re-signed.
Southern Saints’ new defender is 2025 17/U state team athlete Camille Brownjohn. “With Saachi Donald moving permanently to Championship we were looking for a new tall defender,” said Payne. “We believe that Camille will grow as a defender and learning from defensive super star Sharni Norder will only improve Camille to be the best she can be.”
Experienced VNL player Iris Bentley (GD/DK) has come across from Western Warriors to provide extra defence cover as a training partner.
Coaches
Southern Saints’ Championship side will again be led by Jane Searle as the club’s head and Championship coach, and Leah Percy as director of netball and Championship specialist coach.
Searle is a former Australia Diamond who has had coaching roles at the Adelaide Thunderbirds, West Coast Fever, Melbourne Kestrels, and the Diamonds.
Percy is the heart of soul of the Saints as the club’s only player to reach 150 games. She was team captain when the club won their last Championship premiership in 2014.
Saints have a new look 23&Under coaching panel with 2024 head coach Matt Cooke moving to Peninsula Waves’ Championship team.
The club have signed another former Australian Diamond in Sharni Norder to lead this up-and-coming side.
“Sharni is loud and proud but has built great connections with her team and the club generally,” said Payne.
“She brings a new level of expectations while making training fun. It is a step up for these players but they are revelling in her challenging drills.”
The new 23&Under assistant coach is John Arouff who has been part of the Saints’ development coaching group for two years.
“John is quiet but is a fast learner and pushes his team to excel,” said Payne. “He combines fitness with good team tactics and strong relationships.”
Wilson Storage Southern Saints 2025 Squads
Championship
Anna Donnelly
Alex Moody
Holly Garac
Jessie Grenvold
Jordyn Adams
Kate Kelly-Oman
Mia Washington
Mia van Wyk
Millicent Roach
Rahni Samason
Saachi Donald
Tiahnee Farrell
Lavinia Fox (training partner)
Director of netball and specialist coach: Leah Percy
Head coach: Jane Searle
23&Under
Alyssa Dreaneen
Camille Brownjohn
Charlize Reid
Ellarnah Hanlen
Hayley Howard
Hayley Ray
Lenna Bruun
Lucinda Gatt
Madison Foot
Rachael Walker
Rose Laidlaw
Zoe Leaver
Olivia Ray (training partner)
Iris Bentley (training partner)
Head coach: Sharni Norder
Assistant coach: John Arouff
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