The Western Warriors inaugural Victorian Netball League teams are starting to take shape.
One of three new teams next season, the Melton-based Warriors will have a championship team along with a 23-and-under team in the new-look competition.
The Warriors championship team is being coached by Kim Bailey, who is also head coach, while former Melbourne Vixen goaler Kim Borger will coach the under-23 team.
Players names have stated to appear for teams on the VNL website once they have registered.
The first four players of the championship team revealed are Elly Randall, Georgia Hellyer, Simona Di Filippo and Olivia Ellis.
The first of those three all played under Bailey at the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Netball League with Di Filippo winning the league best and fairest.
All four have played in the VNL before. Randall is a defender, while the other are midcourters.
Brydi Hutchinson, Ella Closter, Iris Bentley, Leona Hristovska, Rosie Todd, Sadie Cheesman and Tara O’Grady are part of the 23-and-under team. It’s the first time there will be a 23-and-under team, with their previously being a division 1 and under-19 team instead.
Hutchison and Hristovska come from the Ariels, Bentley from the Casey Demons, and Todd and Cheesman from the Geelong Cougars as they look to continue their VNL careers.
O’Grady, another who played under Bailey at the Sunbury Lions this year, has played Melbourne University and Boroondara Express.
Ella Closter, who has been playing for Darley in the BNL, will make her VNL debut. Closter and Cheesman have been named in the Victorian under-19 squad for 2024.
