Shepparton gun Mackenzie O'Dwyer's star is on the rise.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Under the bright Deakin Reserve lights of Shepparton, ironically, it’s a Bear that glides across the court like its prey a salmon does in a spring.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Bear in question is the young and effervescent Mackenzie O’Dwyer; Shepparton’s, the state’s and now the country’s star centre.
O’Dwyer is a passionate member of Shepparton's A-grade netball squad, but is severely limited in her ability to pull on the maroon and gold colours due to her commitments at higher levels.
The 17-year-old’s closet would have more dresses than an A-list celebrity as O’Dwyer currently represents Shepparton, Victorian Netball League side Bendigo Strikers, Super Netball Reserves side Melbourne Mavericks, the 19-and-under Victorian team and Australia’s 19-and-under team.
O’Dwyer’s green and gold addition to the collection comes after she dominated at the recent National Netball Championships in Sydney.
Victoria came second in the tournament and O’Dwyer said there was a key reason behind the state’s performance.
“The championships in Sydney are probably my favourite I have ever been to,” O’Dwyer said.
“A lot of my best friends, who I have grown up playing with for the past few years (were playing), so it made it such an enjoyable experience.
“I think the reason we got in to that gold medal match is because we are all just best mates.
“It made it so much more special and it will be one I will remember forever.”
The Bears are having their best start to a season in recent times, going 7-0 to start the year as they hunt for the club's first A-grade flag.
In more good news for Shepparton, the team has done it with O’Dwyer only featuring in the side in three matches.
The young gun centre said she loved her pack of Bears and was eager to play for the club as much as she could, but it would likely be late in the season when she could make an impact on the court.
“It is a bit tricky with the (Suncorp Super Netball) reserves being load managed,” she said.
“Looking towards the back end of the season, I am looking to get in a few more games; that would be nice and ideal.
“To be fair, they are doing completely fine without me on the court, so credit to them.
“They are not really missing me much, I’ll just say that.”
Barooga product and Shepparton netballer Mackenzie O'Dwyer (bottom right) earned silver with Victoria's 19-and-under side at the 2025 National Netball Championships.
O’Dwyer and her Australian 19-and-under counterparts would take on the Australian 21-and-under side later this year in the lead-up to the 21-and-under world cup.
In the face of enormous talent, O’Dwyer’s humble nature shines through.
The gifted netballer said she was stunned when the message about her national selection popped up.
“(Selection in the team) was something I wasn’t even expecting when I was away in Sydney; I was very shocked when I opened the email,” she said.
“It is a huge privilege.
“The group they have picked will go away to Canberra in September and it also allows the (21-and-under) to get a bit of match play before they head off to the youth world cup.
“I am really excited to see how I go against some of those older girls.”
When not mixed in the swirling and frenetic nature of centre court, O’Dwyer can be found coaching from the sidelines.
She is a private coach for junior netballers in her home town of Barooga and said the process of coaching had helped provide her with another view on the game.
“I do enjoy the coaching side of things,” she said.
“On the weekend, I sat on the 17s bench because I love to see the game from a different perspective and I think it does make you think outside the box when you are playing, not just about your own position.
“It makes me get a little bit more insight.
“I just love seeing young kids grow and enjoy playing netball, especially in a regional town.
“Coaching is an awesome pathway to see things in a different way and I think it just opens up how you see things when on the court.”
Along with O'Dwyer's dedication to netball is her commitment to her Year 12 studies at St Mary’s of the Angels secondary school at Nathalia.
Once the final T’s have been crossed and I’s dotted on her exams, O’Dwyer is planning to move to Melbourne for a crack at the heralded Suncorp Super Netball league.
“It is one of those things, it is very different to AFL, there is no draft,” she said.
“Eventually, maybe get a training partner spot somewhere (in SSN) and, then I guess, it is just that waiting game; you just wait to see if you end up being a 10 and getting contracted.
“Ideally, yes, I would love to (play SSN), but hopefully get a training partner somewhere in the next few years.”
