Nathalia's Laura Cole has spoken of the unity within the Purples’ camp.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Nathalia star Laura Cole has opened up on the spirit of unity within the club’s A-grade camp, as her side aims to finish the season strong heading into the Murray Netball League finals.
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Round 18 of the 2026 campaign saw the Purples avenge last year’s grand final, which saw Rumbalara prevail 54-43 to cap an invincible season and earn a second consecutive flag.
This time around, the first-placed side earned a memorable 50-48 victory over its old foe – putting to bed the ghost of the 2025 showpiece in the process.
It has been a long wait for Nathalia in its quest to finally end that hoodoo, having also lost away at Mercury Drive in round 13 this season in an agonising 48-47 thriller.
That defeat remains the Purps’ only loss of the campaign to date, with the league’s pacesetters currently boasting an eight-point lead at the summit over next-best side Mulwala in second place.
With two games left of the home and away term, Nathalia ace Cole feels her team has what it takes to earn what would be a first A-grade premiership crown in nearly 20 years next month.
“The vibes are high for sure, we’re feeling really good,” she said, providing insight into the mood within the Purples’ camp.
“We have a lot of fun together, which is the main thing and we’re just so excited to see what this group can do in finals.
Nathalia's Laura Cole is relishing her role as a leader within the locker room.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“We’ve had some really exciting recruits this year that have added so much strength and leadership to the team.
“We’re keen to give finals our best shot.”
As for the two outstanding fixtures in the diary before finals, Cole remains focused on maintaining momentum as the Purples target claiming the spoils against Moama followed by Cobram.
“We still have two games left of the home and away season and so we’re just taking it one week at a time and looking forward to seeing what we can do,” she said.
“But, also, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, we want to finish the season strong and be in the best position we can be heading into finals to give ourselves the best chance.”
With the club’s last grand final triumph having come in 2007, a whole generation has gone by without the A-grade netball side adding to the silverware collection at Nathalia Recreation Reserve.
However, minor premiership glory remains in the Purples’ hands with eight points left to play for – before Cole and her teammates have the chance to make history in the finals after 19 years of hurt.
