Following last year’s runner up finish Euroa has replenished some of its key player losses with some fresh - and familiar - blood after copping arguably the biggest exits of any side over the off season.
Omnipotent shooter Olivia Morris (1053 goals in 2025) and midcourt dynamo Holly Reid left the nest alongside Sami Kreltzheim, but coach Ellie Warnock has doubled down in the attacking department to ease the pain of the pair’s departure.
Bridget Hill has returned to the club from Benalla, fresh off the back of consecutive A-grade best-and-fairest awards at the Saints.
The classy and experienced goal attacker last donned the black and white in 2022, and upon return to the Magpies, she’ll have a new partner in the arc this year.
Euroa has welcomed Bec Colwell to the ranks from Riddell - a seemingly like-for-like replacement for Morris.
The highly accomplished goal shooter arrives with a swathe of achievements, ranging from VNL Hot Shot and MVP awards to numerous best and fairest collects and team of the year nominations in the Northern Netball League.
Meanwhile, fellow GVL flag contender Tatura has also brought in new reinforcement.
Though in the Bulldogs’ case, change comes in the form of off-court mentorship.
Having previously served as Shepparton’s A-grade mentor, Stacey Thompson has moved to the Kennel to lessen the load on last year’s playing co-coach Elsie Boyer.
The seasoned Bears leader has been impressed by Tatura’s synergy throughout pre-season, and after three fourth place finishes in a row, Thompson will hope to take the Bulldogs a step or two further in 2026.
“They’re all quite local or have been here for a long time - they’re so connected as a group which is amazing and have welcomed me with open arms,” she said.
“That’s been a really lovely thing that I’ve felt across the whole club of Tatura, they’re so welcoming and supportive of each other.
“As an on court thing, their defence has been outstanding and watching them up lose is exciting and the flexibility they have with that.
“I really look forward to seeing that continue to grow this year.”
In other netball news, a few of the region’s finest young talents got their seasons underway early on Tuesday night in the VNL Reserves competition.
Gabby Moore (Shepparton Swans) and Bridie Kelly (Mooroopna) made their club debut for Bendigo Strikers in a 55-42 win over Boroondara Express, with Jinaya Nurse (Moama) also starring in the victory.
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