Team of the year: The Standard's 2021 Hampden netball selections

A ball comes flying down the court. The attacking player feels they're in the right spot.

Enter Remeny McCann. Or Carly Watson. Take your pick.

Either one floats across, reels in a turnover and dishes the ball off to Ally O'Connor in centre.

WDFNL team of the year: Who made the side?

She considers her options and brings Amy Hammond into play.

The dynamic wing attack had found space from her rival.

Hammond feeds a pass into Amy Wormald in goal attack.

She sinks the shot. But if she didn't, it wouldn't matter as ever-reliable goal shooter Emily Finch would've been there for the rebound.

The Hampden league season was shorter - reduced by six rounds owing to COVID-19 restrictions - but players, despite the constant interruptions, still produced memorable seasons.

Here is the The Standard's 2021 team of the year.

Picking a side is no easy feat and some teenage players, such as Koroit's Millie Jennings and Warrnambool's Ava Pierce, could find themselves in future teams.

Both Pierce and Jennings settled into open-grade netball this season with ease.

Hampden league netball co-ordinator Trish Butters helps run through why those selected in the team of the year deserve their spots.

Goal keeper: Rachael Batten (North Warrnambool Eagles)

Don't let Batten's friendly on-court nature fool you - she's always smiling - as she's one of the league's most toughest goal keepers, along with Warrnambool's Emma Cust who was unlucky to miss out on this spot.

Butters said Batten's consistency meant she'd had "a super year".

"As the year has built, her skills and height have been a real asset to North," she said.

"She is still very agile and a clean player."

Goal defence: Remeny McCann (Cobden)

McCann is versatile and can swing into wing defence if needed.

Butters said the long-time Bomber was ever-dangerous, "a powerhouse driving down the court with her attack".

"She is an athletic type of player who will take on anyone," she said.

Wing defence: Carly Watson (South Warrnambool)

Watson, a past league best and fairest winner, is in the same vein as McCann.

The first-year Rooster, who crossed from Port Fairy, can play goal defence or wing defence.

"Their (McCann and Watson's) ability to hunt the loose ball means you can't put a loose ball in there at all," Butters said.

Centre: Ally O'Connor (South Warrnambool)

O'Connor's talent has been recognised by Vic Fury.

Butters said the midcourter helped her team flow from defence to attack.

"Ally is just such a great connecting player," she said.

Wing attack: Amy Hammond (Cobden)

The former league best-and-fairest winner played nine of the 12 games.

She stepped away at the end of June due to pregnancy.

But, because of restrictions, didn't miss many games in the backend of the season.

"Amy is that little in and under, true wing attack who is quick," Butters said.

"She is quite different to the other players in that she's not tall and aerial.

"She is quick passing into her goalies, an amazing feeder."

Goal attack: Amy Wormald (Warrnambool)

The multi-talented athlete, who is also a star for Warrnambool's representative basketball team, is "a standout".

"She has got height, athleticism, agility," Butters said.

"She has really improved with her game sense and game face.

"Amy has really improved with her discipline around the court and is standing up and being a leader."

Goal shooter: Emily Finch (Cobden)

Reliable and accurate - those two words sum up Finch.

"She is a deceiving player because she's not tall as a goal shooter but she moves quickly, is smart and can shoot from anywhere," Butters said.

"Her accuracy has been a real strength over many years."

Interchange:

Georgia Corbett (North Warrnambool Eagles)

A versatile leader who "you can play anywhere".

"You could put her into centre, into defence or you could put her into attack if you needed," Butters said.

"She will give you 150 per cent. She's athletic, very fit and has a good sense of ball judgment and can intercept as well."

Hollie Phillips (Hamilton Kangaroos)

One of the competition's most promising players who made the goal circle her own in her debut season.

"She's a beautiful, tall player and a lovely shooter," Butters said.

"Her ability to rebound and then re-shoot (is great).

"In her first year in open she's pretty much been a standout in her team.

"She's been shooting, like (Koroit's) Nell (Mitchell), 49 goals every week. She probably pips Nell out this year, just because of her versatility."

Annie Blackburn (South Warrnambool)

First season at the Roosters and became their barometer.

"Annie is a leader on the court, a steadying influence, can move the ball really quickly and has got a good game sense," Butters said.

"She doesn't shoot it a lot, considering her ability where she can shoot from anywhere. She is more a team player and passer these days.

"When Annie is playing well, that team is playing well."

Ruby Pekin-Schlicht (Camperdown)

Returned to Australia during her US college break and had an immediate impact for her home club.

Injury curtailed part of her season but she was a force when on the court.

"She can defend, can come into the centre," Butters said.

"She is a bit of a gun too and clean and athletic."