MALLEE EAGLES
PROFILE
ON the brink of premiership success for the past two years, the Mallee Eagles are hoping this will be the year they bring home their first cup.
In the past two seasons, the Eagles made it all the way to the preliminary final, each time only narrowly going down to the eventual premiers.
Stepping into the role of A Grade coach this season, Alicia Harvey wants the Eagles finally make it to the big dance after consecutive heartbreaks.
“It is definitely something that we are keeping in the back of our minds, but we are really hoping to break that curve,” Harvey said.
The Eagles will field a very different team to what they had last year, losing four of their most key players in midcourter Sonya Lorenzoni, attacker Amelia Shannahan, one of the league’s best shooters Kellie Walker and last year’s coach Meg Allen.
But the news isn’t all bad, Leah McKenzie returning to the court after a pregnancy and injury to play a big role down the Eagles’ defence end alongside reigning club best-and-fairest Laura Sheahan.
Kasey Torr will also return to the Eagles this year, while Gemma Miller makes her way to the club from Moulamein.
“I think with the new additions, particularly in the A Grade side that we’ve got, there is a lot of experience, a lot of players who are very good at directing, especially with the younger players,” Harvey said.
“That experience in finals is definitely something that we might have lacked in previous years, and I think we have really got that this year with the likes of Kasey, Gemma and those kind of players.”
Young guns Mikayla O’Meara and Neveah Roberts will also join the Eagles’ A squad this season, moving their way up from juniors to seniors.
“They are in peak form, adding a lot of height and agility to the bookends as well, they will absolutely get a good look at the top end of the vote count in their first season of senior netball, which is super exciting for them and exciting to see what they can bring to the senior grades,” Harvey said.
Committing for another season is Megan Thorneycroft in the goal circle, Sarah Young in the defence end, as well as Harvey herself, who is a dominant player in the midcourt.
“There is definitely a lot of change from last year, but we are pretty stoked with how everything is turning out and our annual returning faces, and they will all bring something to the table,” Harvey said.
“It is such a good group of girls on and off the court, and I’m just excited to see what 2024 can bring to the Mallee Eagles.”
FROM THE COACH
“I think this year with our A Res coming off a premiership in 2023, and also having a very strong looking B squad this year, we’ve got a lot of depth to facilitate the losses we had from last season.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Kasey Torr: Returning to her home club this season, Torr’s wealth of experience and versatility on the court is going to be crucial to the Eagles. As a former coach at Quambatook, her directing both on and off the court will be a real asset, as well her own speed and agility.
INS & OUTS
INS: Leah McKenzie, Kasey Torr, Gemma Miller (Moulamein), Millie Saville, Annee Hinton, Ryley Purcell (Swan Hill).
OUTS: Kellie Walker (Hay), Meg Allen, Sonya Lorenzoni, Amelia Shannahan (Murrabit).
