At the half way mark of the 2025 home and away season, reigning premiers Sunbury lead all comers thus far. But with the ladder tight and plenty of netball to play, anything is possible in the A Grade competition.
Sunbury
Ladder Position: 1st - 9 wins, 0 loses
The question at this stage of the competition – who’s going to have what it takes to beat Sunbury?
The reigning premiers look well-placed in their pursuit of back-to-back premierships, having gone unbeaten through the first nine rounds. With an average winning margin of 35 goals per game, the Lions enter the second half of the season confident – and rightly so. But expect coach Kim Bailey to keep standards high and the foot down.
The closest any team has come to halting their run was the other pack of Lions – Redan. In their Good Friday clash, Sunbury escaped with just a four-goal win, largely thanks to a 14–10 second term that gave them the edge. It’s been the only game where they’ve looked even slightly vulnerable.
Led by reigning dual Sally McLean medallist Simona Di Fillipo feeding leading goal scorer Becca Hicks, it’s a hard attack end to shut down. But what really sets Sunbury apart is the depth across the court – arguably the best in the competition.
With VNL experience in Georgia Hellyer, Eliza Gollant, Elly Randall and Tayla Honey, there’s no shortage of high-level experience and composure when the game tightens.
The upcoming Round 11 clash against Redan could be one to watch. But if Sunbury’s first half of the season is anything to go by, they’re not just aiming for back-to-back titles – they’re putting themselves in the best possible position to get there.
End of H&A 2024: 1st
2025 Prediction: 1st
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Becca Hicks
Darley
Ladder Position: 2nd - 7 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw
After back-to-back heartbreaking Grand Final losses, the Darley girls are showing their never-give-up attitude now more than ever.
Take out their Round 2 loss to reigning premiers Sunbury, and Darley hold an unbeaten record so far this season. And in several of those wins — like the one-goal thriller over Redan and a six-goal grind against North Ballarat — it’s been their finals experience that’s made the difference. The ability to stay composed in tight contests is something this team has in spades.
They’re thriving under coach Shannon Blackman – a quality player in her own right – and her leadership is reflected in their on-court consistency. Darley currently sit second for fewest goals conceded in the competition, thanks in large part to the defensive pairing of Matilda Elliott and Anna Lawley. Across the past year and a half, they’ve become one of the most reliable duos in the league.
Many thought the departure of Ella Closter to St Joseph’s in the off-season might impact their scoring power. But Mon Nagle and Olivia Cawthray have stepped up seamlessly. With Cawthray’s strong hold and ability to turn and shoot from anywhere, combined with Nagle’s control and leadership in the attack end, Darley are rarely wasteful once they hit circle edge.
They currently sit six points clear of third-placed Redan, and if they can replicate their first half of the season – including another win over Redan – a double chance in finals is well within reach.
End of H&A 2024: 3rd
2025 Prediction: 3rd
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Olivia Cawthray
Redan
Ladder Position: 3rd - 6 wins, 3 losses
It was a slower start to the season than the Lions may have anticipated. But fast forward past the opening two rounds, and Redan now loom as one of the dark horses of the A Grade competition.
A post-match review of their clash with Bacchus Marsh revealed a one-goal loss. They then pushed reigning premiers Sunbury to within four goals. By Round 3, they were locked at 30-all with East Point at three-quarter time — only to remain composed, capitalise on turnovers and claim their first win of the season.
In her first year as A Grade coach, Ash Smith has thrived — not just with her tactical direction, but her composure and leadership on court. Her partnership with Erin Riley in defence has been a major asset, frustrating opposition goalers and generating crucial turnovers. Their defensive pressure sees them boast the lowest against score in the competition.
The return of Lily Francis has also been a standout. The dynamic midcourter is enjoying arguably her best season to date, finding space down the court and circle edge with confidence and control. In the goal circle, Eva Manserra, Tahlia Thompson and Ruby Parry have grown into their roles, lifting their shooting accuracy and converting both turnovers and centre passes more consistently.
Sitting third on the ladder at the halfway mark, Redan are shaping up as a genuine threat. They’ve already proven they can match it with the best — pushing Sunbury and falling just short of Darley. If the Lions can continue their momentum, the back half of the season could see them flip a few earlier results and shake up the finals picture in a big way.
End of H&A 2024: 6th
2025 Prediction: 2nd
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Erin Riley
North Ballarat
Ladder Position: 4th - 6 wins, 3 losses
One of the most consistent sides of the past decade, North Ballarat has once again positioned itself as a genuine contender in 2025.
Led by Annie McCartin, the Roosters have navigated a tough fixture with trademark composure. Even in tighter matches, their ability to absorb pressure and maintain control has seen them pull away to register wins, often by double digits.
Their only blemishes so far have come against the current powerhouses – Sunbury, Redan, and Darley – but in each case, the Roosters showed enough to suggest they’re not far off bridging the gap.
The off-season departures of Keeley Smith and Emma Church forced some key changes, but those shifts have proven fruitful. Milly Simpson’s move from the midcourt into defence has been a strong one, forming a strong partnership with Bungaree recruit Emma Trigg. Together, they’ve added resilience and adaptability to North’s defensive end.
Up front, the experienced pairing of Maddy Selmon and Poppy Douglass continues to set the benchmark. Polished, precise, and nearly impossible to fluster, the duo have been reinforced by the return of Stacey Matthews – forming an attacking trio that reads the play and each other with fluency and finesse.
The Roosters currently sit locked on points with Redan, and with the ladder as tight as it is, wins against teams outside the top six will be non-negotiable from here on. But to truly solidify third place, they’ll need to notch a couple of wins against their top-six rivals in the run home.
End of H&A 2024: 2nd
2025 Prediction: 4th
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Maddy Selmon
Lake Wendouree
Ladder Position: 5th - 5 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw
A regular fixture in the finals over the past decade, Lake Wendouree’s 2025 campaign has had its ups and downs — but they remain firmly in the hunt.
Their three losses to date have all come against top five opponents – Sunbury, Redan and North Ballarat – and in each of those contests, it’s been a single lapse in one quarter that’s cost them. A one-quarter lull has proven enough to turn tight contests into chasing games – and something coach Courtney McLean will be eager to address heading into the back half of the year.
When they’ve been switched on for all four quarters, the Lakers have shown exactly what they’re capable of – none more so than their 22-goal dismantling of East Point. If they can replicate that structure and consistency week-to-week, they’ll be well positioned to cause problems for the competition’s top sides on the return leg.
The first half of the season has demanded flexibility. Injuries to key players like Remi Hooper and Mel Allen forced McLean to dig into her squad – and that trust has been rewarded. Youngster Audrey Domaille has been a standout in the GD role, while veteran Kara Hart has provided calm and versatility rotating through the WA and WD positions.
It’s a similar story in the goal circle. Ade Funcke has stepped up to lead the line with her composed presence under the post, forming a reliable pairing with recruit Ebony Porter, who’s brought both accuracy and polish to the attack end.
Throw in Sadie Cheeseman’s work rate and smarts through the middle, and Lake Wendouree has all the ingredients for a serious second-half push. If they can string together four-quarter efforts and continue adapting under pressure, a top-three finish is well within reach.
End of H&A 2024: 4th
2025 Prediction: 5th
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Sadie Cheeseman
Bacchus Marsh
Ladder Position: 6th - 5 wins, 4 losses
Hands down, the feel-good story of the 2025 season belongs to Bacchus Marsh.
Before April 12, the Cobras hadn’t won an A Grade game in nearly six years. But that all changed with a dramatic scoresheet countback win over Redan – a result that not only broke their drought but kickstarted what’s become an epic season.
Just a week later, the Cobras backed it up with a thrilling Good Friday win over East Point, celebrating their first on-court victory in years at the final siren.
Coach Nicole Gleeson has been central to the Cobras’ resurgence, guiding the group with belief and strategy. The addition of experienced players like Ally Keating and Kimberley Phillips has helped transform the side into a confident, cohesive outfit.
At the halfway mark, Bacchus Marsh sit sixth on the ladder – with wins over every team below them, plus that major upset over Redan. And with nine games to go, locking in a first finals appearance in close to a decade is well within reach.
Consistency will be key in the back half of the season. The Cobras will aim to repeat wins against sides below them, while targeting at least one more scalp from the top five. Eight points clear of East Point, just one more major win could be enough to secure their historic finals berth.
End of H&A 2024: 11th
2025 Prediction: 6th
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Ally Keating
East Point
Ladder Position: 7th - 3 wins, 6 losses
The season so far:
Finals were a realistic goal for the Roos at the beginning of the season — and while that now looks slightly out of reach, they just might have the grit and growth to claw their way back in the second half.
This young group has shown flashes of finals-worthy netball — their Round 3 clash with Redan a clear example. But if East Point are to chase down a top-six finish, coaches Kirsty McLean and Tayla Banham will be hoping to unlock greater consistency across four quarters each week.
After two seasons of rebuilding, several promising youngsters are stepping up. Olivia Ashby, Stella Geljon, Maggie Harris and Lily Woodland — all 18 or younger — have shown they belong at A Grade level, bringing energy and confidence to the court.
Recruit additions Bridey McElligott and Jaime Palmer have slotted in seamlessly, adding valuable goaling depth and speed through the midcourt. Their influence has helped elevate the Roos' ball movement and scoring potential.
One game that may haunt them come season’s end is their Good Friday loss to Bacchus Marsh — a result that now sees them trailing sixth place by eight points. With a return clash against the Cobras scheduled for Round 14, it looms as a must-win. Beyond that, they’ll realistically need to upset at least one other top-six side to stay in the finals hunt.
The potential is there — now it's about putting it together when it matters most.
End of H&A 2024: 8th
2025 Prediction: 7th
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Tayla Banham
Melton
Ladder Position: 8th - 2 wins, 7 losses
After significant off-season movement, full credit goes to Melton’s netball department for their adaptability and commitment to building a competitive side each week.
The Bloods have used more players in A Grade than any other club this season — a testament to both their recruitment strategy and the depth of talent across the club. That depth has allowed Melton to provide top-level opportunities while staying competitive against strong opposition.
In the early rounds, the presence of standout players like Akira McCormack, Malia Seumanutafa, and Lucia Fauonuku helped the Bloods push top-tier teams to the limit — falling just short against Darley (12 goals), Lake Wendouree (3 goals), and North Ballarat (1 goal).
It was in Round 3 that Melton notched their first win of the season, thanks largely to the influence of VNL and Victorian State representative Amalani Fauonuku in the goal circle.
Their second win, in Round 9, came through the grit and determination of the Bloods’ core group. Ebony Carter, in a move to goals, was influential, while Jess Bartlett was a key figure through the midcourt.
While player availability may bring further changes in the back half of the season, Melton has shown they have the internal depth to stay competitive and continue building toward the future.
End of H&A 2024: 9th
2025 Prediction: 9th
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Tyler Talavou
Sebastopol
Ladder Position: 9th - 1 wins, 8 losses
While 2025 has been a less competitive year for Sebastopol compared to recent seasons, the club is in a familiar phase that every team faces at some point — the rebuild.
Several key departures from the 2024 side — including Nikki Allen (welcomed her first child), Libby Hutt (relocated interstate), and the dynamic Cann sisters, Georgia and Adrianna — have left a notable gap in experience across the court.
However, with transition comes opportunity, and coach Kiya Eberle has embraced the challenge. After years leading the Burra’s Under 19s, Eberle’s move into the A Grade coaching role has brought an intimate knowledge of the club’s youth talent, helping younger players take confident steps into senior netball.
Maddie Lewis continues her development in her second full season, while Makayla Wright has lifted her game week-on-week — all while still backing up for the Under 17s on Sundays.
In many ways, Tahlia Watts has become the team’s on-court veteran. A loyal Burra, her ability to rotate between the midcourt and defensive circle reflects both her versatility and leadership. Partnering with reigning Best and Fairest Alice Kain, the duo have made opposition attackers work hard for every goal.
The side has also benefited from cameo appearances by Adut Manyiel — a highly respected, dangerously accurate goaler known across the league.
Looking ahead, the second half of the season will remain centred on development and experience. While finals might be out of reach, the foundation is being laid for the Burra’s next wave of success.
End of H&A 2024: 7th
2025 Prediction: 8th
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Alice Kain
Ballarat
Ladder Position: 10th - 0 wins, 9 losses
Whilst they remain winless at this stage of the competition, Ballarat have shown clear signs of growth through the first half of the 2025 season.
Very much in a re-build phase, the Swans are one of the youngest teams in the competition – and while this may not be a year measured by wins and losses, coach Maria Nunn can certainly gauge success through other meaningful markers.
One of those is margin management – aiming to reduce the gap in each second meeting with opposition sides. For teams like Sunbury and Darley, a win might be out of reach, but keeping opponents to a set scoreline, lifting centre pass conversion, and lowering turnovers are all achievable targets that will drive development.
Recruit Famke McCallum has made an immediate impact, using her height and movement into space to great effect. Meanwhile, Grace Jackson – still eligible for the Club’s Under 17 Senior team – has stepped up admirably, embracing the physicality of senior netball and finding her feet quickly.
In defence, Abbie O’Brien and Jacinta McKenzie have formed a promising combination, working well off each other to slow down opposing goalers and create turnover opportunities.
A win feels close for the Swans. With continued focus on setting measurable in-game goals, it’s entirely possible they’ll be rewarded on the scoreboard before the season’s end.
End of H&A 2024: 10th
2025 Prediction: 10th
Sally McLean Medal Tip: Famke McCallum
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