TEENAGE netballers are making a name for themselves in Hampden's open netball competition.
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One - exciting goal attack Belle Baker - finished second in the league best and fairest last season, aged just 16.
The Standard has assembled its picks of teenagers playing top-grade netball for their respective clubs.
It's a team brimming with talent.
Belle is in goal attack with Camperdown's Krystal Baker her goal ring partner.
South Warrnambool's Isabella Rae holds down wing attack with Warrnambool recruit Ava Pierce in centre.
May Suhan, one of Terang Mortlake's young talents, was allocated wing defence with Koroit premiership player Zahli Adams in goal defence.
South Warrnambool's Hannah Loveday slotted into goal keeper.
The bench depth is enviable too with Hamilton Kangaroos' Madeline Casey, Warrnambool pair Jessica Thwaites and Ash Evans and Camperdown's Chelsea Baker.
Others, such as Cobden's Molly Hutt, who turns 20 in August, were in contention.
Belle said it was exciting to see her peers step up and embrace the open netball challenge.
The Warrnambool College student said "you want to be like them and it pushes you".
"It is their hard work outside of netball. I know Zahli can do things outside of netball to help improve her and she is from my club so I am aware of what she does," she said.
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"I know Ashley plays basketball so she's always keeping her fitness up."
Belle said The Standard's team had strong, creative players across all three sections of the court.
She believes the defensive end would be difficult to play against.
"Hannah is just really good with her defence, her eyes are always up and her hands are always deflecting balls," Belle said.
"Zahli has really fast feet and good closing speed so that's probably her strength.
"She could be starting far away from her attacker and be able to intercept the ball.
"May is good with her intercepts and reading the ball and can hold her ground very well for someone her age."
The midcourt is brimming with pace and tenacity, according to Belle.
"Ava's speed (is great) and she's always changing directions and puts her body on the line," she said.
"She just goes for it. I played with (Isabella) in Hampden last year and she's really good at changing her direction and going forward for the ball and just attacking the ball all the time, a bit like Ava.
"She goes up for any ball."
Belle said Krystal Baker would be a handy ally in goals.
"She can adapt to different attackers with her," she said.
"When I go in there I am more of a moving goalie and she can be a holding goalie but then when she's with a holding goalie, she can move around."
The interchange bench features budding midcourters and goalies.
Belle, who was 14 when she made her A grade debut, said she was stunned to be crowned runner-up in the league best and fairest last season and had high hopes for 2020 before COVID-19 forced netball to a standstill until at least May 31.
"I was not expecting it. I got invited and I got the rising star award and I was like 'perfect, I am really happy with that'," she said of the presentation night.
"Then I started getting a few votes and everyone was like 'imagine, imagine' and I was like 'it's not going to happen', and then I came second.
"I was so surprised."
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