Warrnambool and District netball league 2019 season preview

2018 finish: Seventh

Ins: Emma Stacey (A reserve), Josie Allen (A reserve), Georgia Martin

Outs: Donna Chatfield (East Warrnambool), Tanaya Harradine (Merrivale), Merinda Ugle-Hagan (East Warrnambool), Lena Wright

Players to watch: Coach Bridget Foster believes young players Emma Stacey and Josie Allen are in for a big season - "They're young and eager and happy to have a go. They wouldn't be scared to play against top opposition. They're really versatile, I could probably put them anywhere to be honest."

Coach's comment: "I think we'll be very competitive. We'll be young and fit. We're a very versatile team and I think that will hold us in good stead." - Bridget Foster

Prediction: 10^th - Some significant outs but this new-look side will be exciting to watch under 18-year-old captain Josie Allen. 

2018 finish: Second

Ins: Ruby Wilson (South Warrnambool)

Outs: Vicky Davies (retired), Melissa Burt (Terang)

Player to watch: Coach Josie Bolden believes recruit Ruby Wilson will be valuable to her team - "She will be a great asset to our side. Her ability through the mid-court will help our defence and attack."

Coach's comment: "The hope is always to make finals. We want to have unity and belief in each other, week in week out. It would be great to go that one step further." - Josie Bolden

Prediction: Second - Expecting the consistent Dogs to be there again at the pointy end of the season. 

2018 finish: 11^th

Ins: Brooke Southwell, Sarah Horsfield, Merinda Ugle-Hagan (Allansford), Donna Chatfield (Allansford)

Outs: None

Player to watch: New coach Donna Chatfield said Sarah Horsfield would be one to look out for -  "She's driven and she doesn't stop. Beautiful to watch and reads the play well."

Coach's comment: "Very happy with the turnout and the participation by all the girls coming every week. I'm confident and happy that I've got players that want to give it a go." - Donna Chatfield

Prediction: 11^th - Chatfield will bring valuable experience to the side. Expect East Warrnambool to be more competitive this season. 

2018 finish: Eighth

Ins: Lauren Williams (Melbourne), Jocelyn McDonald (Camperdown), Stacey Maddern (returning)

Outs: Emma Lucas, Lillie Bourke, Courtney McClelland

Player to watch: Coach Kym Goonan said it was great to have Jocelyn McDonald return to the club - "Had a big influence in our team a couple of years ago when she was playing at Kolora-Noorat. She's a good one to have back again this year."

Coach's comment: "Everything is looking really positive at the moment. Our group of girls have a really good vibe about them. Everybody is excited to get the season underway. We've got a lot of new and exciting people playing at the Power this year." - Kym Goonan 

Prediction: Ninth - Will be interesting to see the influence of Lauren Williams and Jocelyn McDonald. The coach said Williams would bring plenty of expertise to the team. Could help take Kolora-Noorat into finals contention.  

2018 finish: Ninth

Ins: Cloe Pulling (returning), Nicole Ferguson (returning), Chantelle Moloney (returning), Millie Mahony (Koroit), Tanaya Harradine (Allansford)

Outs: None

Players to watch: New coach Carly Peake said she was excited to watch youngsters Eliza Ljubic, April Worden and Tatum Cassidy develop this season - "The juniors girls that were thrown in the deep end last year and had to play four quarters each week as well as their junior grades, I think they will really develop and grow this year among a few older and more experienced players."

Coach's comment: "Good strong numbers at pre-season. Really good numbers at tryouts which the club has never had before, which was pretty exciting." - Carly Peake

Prediction: Eighth - The Tigers' young players will benefit from the recruitment of some experienced players. 

2018 finish: First

Ins: Lisa Couch (Terang Mortlake), Cloe Marr (Timboon Demons), Anna Archie (New Zealand), Montanna Wallace (will also play Warrnambool juniors)

Outs: Kristy Ludeman (year off), Jo Couch (study), Jess Quick, Nicole Smith (travel)

Player to watch: Coach Steph Townsend believes recruit Lisa Couch is a great addition - "Just her ability to read a ball, read the play and feed into the ring is something not many teams have."

Coach's comment: "With the girls that are coming in, I'm really excited to work with them and see what they have to offer to the team and the other girls that have been here for the past couple of years." - Steph Townsend

Prediction: First - Some handy off-season acquisitions will keep Nirranda right up there. Lisa Couch is back after a year in the Hampden league and Kiwi Anna Archie will bring a wealth of experience to the court. Four outs but four ins so depth should still be all right. 

2018 finish: Fourth 

Ins: Sara Quinn (A reserve), Chelsea Quinn (North Warrnambool), Emily Porra (returning), Vanessa McLaren (Koroit)

Outs: Casey Pye (injury), Chloe Arnott (year off)

Player to watch: Co-coach Meagan Forth said goal defence Nicole O'Shannessy is primed for a great season - "She really hit her straps late last year. I think this season will be an interesting season for her."

Coach's comment: "We've got a good foundation. We've kept five players from last year's team and we're adding another four. We've got a foundation to build on what we have already established." - Meagan Forth

Prediction: Third - Expecting Collegians to be in the premiership mix after their recruiting drive during the off-season. Injuries took their toll last season but with recruits, depth shouldn't be as big a problem. Watch out for mother-daughter duo Sara and Chelsea Quinn at either end of the court.

2018 finish: 10^th 

Ins: Kelly Jones, Josie Ellerton, Alana Wilkins, Alana Rahui, Emily Byers (soccer), Stacy Dunkley (Russells Creek), Charlotte Lenehan (South Warrnambool)

Outs: Lilly Scharma, Rhiannon Healey 

Player to watch: Coach Stacy Dunkely thinks soccer star recruit Emily Byers will make a smooth transition - "Hasn't played for a while but I can see that once it all clicks together, she is going to be a gun."

Coach's comment: "With Panmure having a new football coach and a new netball coach, it's brought a lot of new players to the club. So it's really got a good vibe at the moment." - Stacy Dunkley

Prediction: Seventh - A new coach and host of recruits should see Panmure rise up the ladder this season. 

2018 finish: Sixth 

Ins: Nadine Porter (A reserve), Georgia White (South Warrnambool), Rhi Davis (Hamilton) 

Outs: Carly McDonald 

Player to watch: Assistant coach Rhi Davis believes Abby Sheehan is set for a big 2019 - "I think this year having the support of a few more senior players around her is really going to take some pressure off her and I think she is just going to come into her own and be an outstanding goalie this year." 

Coach's comment: "We've got a really strong core group together. I'm expecting big things from us. Anything less than finals, I don't think would be a success." - Rhi Davis

Prediction: Fourth - Grand finals seem to follow Rhi Davis and that could be the case for the Lions this season. Youngsters from last year will have more senior players around them, which should push this team up the ladder.  

2018 finish: Fifth

Ins: Talia Cameron, Sarah Forbes (Old Collegians), Rachel Hansen (Old Collegians), Emily Armstrong (South Warrnambool)

Outs: Stacy Dunkley (Panmure), Sarah Robertson (overseas), Ellie McMahon, Kayla McMahon 

Player to watch: Coach Thalia Robertson is thrilled to have goalie Emily Armstrong on board - "She is quite a tall player, we've really lacked having height over the last five to six years in our attacking end. I've known her for a long time, I've watched her play netball for a very long time and she's quite an accurate shooter."

Coach's comment: "I think we'll be a lot more consistent than what we were last year in terms of having the same team available each week. It'll be very interesting to see how we go as we're still quite young. We're pushing for finals and I think we'll be disappointed if we don't play finals." - Thalia Robertson 

Prediction: Sixth - Expect a young Russells Creek to be fighting for finals again, after breaking a 15-year drought last season. Some big outs but some quality inclusions with Emily Armstrong accurate around the goals. 

2018 finish: Third

Ins: Hollie Castledine (Camperdown)

Outs: Cloe Marr (Nirranda), Belinda Doolan (year off)

Player to watch: New coach Leah Sinnott is happy to have Raina Hunt in her side - "She's probably an underestimated player who has got a lot of versatility. She's someone who can play at either end of the court."

Coach's comment: "I hope that we're really competitive and that finals is something within our sight. We're looking to make improvements as a team each week. I really want the girls to work on their communication and defence." - Leah Sinnott

Prediction: Fifth - Tough off-season with Hampden league legend Leah Sinnott taking on the coaching role just a month ago. But after finishing third last season, it's hard to discount the Timboon Demons from the finals mix.

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