Caroline Springs has unveiled one of the biggest signings in league history for next year’s Western Netball League.
Former Melbourne Vixen Rahni Samason will join the Lakers next season in a big coup for both the club and league.
Samason has also played in the ANZ Premiership in New Zealand and is known for her shooting ability.
The Lakers said Samason’s composure under pressure and ability to change a game in an instant make her an incredible pick-up for the club.
Lakers netball coordinator Nadine Oborne said this was pretty massive for the club.
“We’ve gone big this year,” she said. “It’s very exciting.
“We have a strong junior program and we want to build that pathway between juniors and seniors.
“It’s not only huge for us in seniors and division 1 but juniors will look up to her and see they are at the same club.”
Oborne said a family connection was what got Samson across the line to join the club.
Samason had been out to the club a couple of months ago for clinic and liked the vibe with both the juniors and seniors.
“She didn’t hesitate” Oborne said.
Samason will be part of a new look goal circle for the Lakers next season.
The club has also announced the signing of Charlize Bellette.
Bellette made her SN reserves debut last season for the Melbourne Mavericks and has recently signed with the Western Warriors 23 and under Victorian Netball League side.
She is also part of the under-19 Victorian squad.
“To play with someone in the circle with Rahni’s experience will help her game,” Oborne said.
The Lakers had five teams in 2025 with all but one team making finals. The division 1 claimed the minor premiership before falling short of the grand final.
Oborne said the focus for the club has been to continue to bring players through the pathway and see them flourish.
She said they hoped that would result in some premiership success.
“We’ve got a lot of juniors coming through into seniors as soon as they turn 15,” she said.
“We had Heidi [Ete] who is 14 and one of the youngest players in the competition.
“She made team of the year in her first year.
“We have got so much talent coming through we will only get stronger.”
Pre-season is underway for the Lakers.
Oborne said after good numbers at trials they were still deciding whether they entered five or six sides for next season.
They are also looking to enter a men’s side in the new division.
“It’s a new chapter for Lakers netball,” he said. “We had about 15 players express their interest.”
Tara Murray
