After taking big strides forward last season, Nyah-Nyah West United will be hoping to continue that growth under new coach Nola O’Shannassy when their 2025 season gets underway against last year’s grand finalists Swan Hill.
O’Shannassy takes the reins from outgoing coach Madison Jones, who will return as a player this season after overcoming a knee injury that kept her out of the red and blue last year.
Jones will help form part of a formidable midcourt combination that will also include Matika Mitchell and Lake Boga premiership centre Taigan O’Shannassy, who returns to her junior club.
Whether Mitchell remains in the middle third, where she dominated for the Demons last season, is unknown, with Lucy Millard, Chloe Threadgold and Annabelle Arnold giving NNW United plenty of depth in that area of the court.
Where they are likely to struggle is in the goal ring, with shooters Sarah Gaskin and Steph Henson both departing the club after last season.
Their exit will force a reshuffle, with either Mitchell or tall defender Taylen Blachford expected to move forward as a result, according to O’Shannassy.
“We will have a couple of spots open for a couple of players now to slot in under the ring and we will look to replace those spots with some of our existing players,” O’Shannassy said.
“Last year we had a really versatile team in the A reserves girls and we a number of players that can play a number of positions.
“Taylen Blachford can play both ends, Shanai Kelly can play both ends and we have young Milla Hovenden stepping up this year, plus we’re hoping to give Josie Thompson a few runs in the A grade as well.
“Our midcourters will be extremely versatile as well, all of them are able to play any mid-court position and a couple of them can also play in defence and a couple of them can play in goals.”
It will be O’Shannassy’s first foray into A grade coaching within the Central Murray, having assisted as the Demons’ A reserves coach last year following several years as a coach within NNW United’s junior program.
Although it might be O’Shannassy’s first job in the top division, there is little doubt about how she wants her team to play, with the Demons working hard on their fitness over the pre-season.
“The girls did a lot of work on their fitness over pre-season, which comes from regularity in their training sessions,” O’Shannassy said.
“We have had a really good turn up for our pre-season and I’m quite proud of the majority of girls that dug in and did the hard work.
“In terms of what our best netball looks like, I’d like to see us play with a good, free flowing progression down the court.
“We will have a really strong mid-court, and that’s not taking anything away from our defenders or our goalies, but I think we’ll have a really nice flow down the court.
“We will be fast and quick and that’s how we’re intending on playing – we’ll have some great feeders and our goalies will hopefully be able to do the rest.”
Although the Demons will be aiming to continue to push for finals, there will also be a focus on the future, with both Milla Hovenden and Josie Thompson expected to feature in the A grade side.
“Young Milla (Hovenden) has just progressed and progressed, so she will get her opportunity in goals, working with Taylen Blatchford most likely, I think she is ready to go forward in leaps and bounds this year,” O’Shannassy said.
“Also Josie Thompson is an extremely tall goalie and is another talented player we can call upon, she’s also really committed and focused on her netball, so she’s only going to improve.”
NNW UNITED FAST FACTS
JOINED LEAGUE – 1997
COURTS – Nyah Recreation Reserve
PREMIERSHIPS – None
A GRADE COACH – Nola O’Shannassy
2024 LADDER POSITION – 7th
2024 BEST & FAIREST – Matika Mitchell
FROM THE COACH
“This year we will have a new team line-up, so the focus will be on growth and pushing the girls to be the best they can be. I guess the other important things we will be focusing on will be on positivity, perseverance and progress, so hopefully all the girls can have a proactive mindset and work collaborative collaboratively to support each other on and off the court.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Matika Mitchell
A versatile player who can play in any position, Mitchell made the centre her own for the Demons last year.
Won NNW United’s A grade best and fairest and was named on the bench in the CMFNL team of the year.
With Taigan O’Shannassy arriving and Madison Jones returning from injury, the Demons will be well stocked for midcourt players, which could see a change of role for the adaptable Mitchell, with a move to defence to partner either Shanai Kelly or Taylen Blachford the most likely scenario.
IN’S
Taigan O’Shannassy (Lake Boga)
Madi Jones
OUT’S
Sarah Gaskin
Steph Henson
