Season 2025 could see a changing of the guard at Swan Hill, with the Central Murray yardstick focusing on developing their youth.
Following their 12-goal loss to Lake Boga in last years grand final, the Swans will take on a new look this season, with a different coaching structure following the departure of long-time A grade coach Madeleine Nalder, along with key players Zoe Morris, Casey Frame and Tess Meney.
But with change comes opportunity, and thankfully for Swan Hill, it will mean an opportunity to develop their next generation of netballing stars such as Ava Seymour, Maggie and Andi Meney, Jaya Jenkins-Jaiswal and Brooke Pearson.
All five, among others, are expected to feature within the A grade side at times this season, with senior netball figure Casey Frame excited to see their progression over the next six months.
“We have some experienced players returning and we have some really exciting young girls coming up from under 17s that will really push the A and A reserves teams,” Frame said.
“There’s a lot of youth coming up within our club, I think we have around six girls coming out of that age bracket, which is really good and hopefully a lot of them will get some experience playing A grade netball.
“Definitely Ava Seymour, she was the one that actually allowed me to play most of last season as she rotated a lot with me on the on the bench.
“It’ll be exciting to see her cement a spot in the team because she’s well and truly ready for it.
“We then have a few of the others, such as the two Meney girls, Maggie and Andi, we’re excited that they’ll get some exposure, as well as Jaya Jenkins-Jaiswal will hopefully get a bit of exposure, whether that is in the A or A reserves.”
Although the focus will be on development and providing game time for the younger players of their squad, the Swans will also have plenty of experience at their disposal.
Karli McIntyre and Hayley Neuschafer will both provide experience through the midcourt, while also returning to the Swan Hill line-up will be former premiership players Kelly Bonney and Mollie Quin.
Bonney is expected to slot back into the Swans goal ring alongside Seymour, with Quin to play in the defensive third, while Holly Barr should also reprise her role in the Swans’ midcourt after having a breakout season last year.
The other big name for the Swans is that of Stevie Bibby, who won the Julie Wardle Medal as the Central Murray’s best and fairest last year, but is in some doubt as to her availability with outside commitments.
If Bibby was to miss a considerable chunk of the season, her absence would be a major loss to Swan Hill, with her her class and leadership likely to leave a major void in the Swans team.
“I think you always want to try and improve, but you also have to be realistic that every year is a different line-up and you have to set goals that each team wants to achieve for that season and not dwell on past seasons,” Frame said.
“Of course we would love to be in the same situation as last year and be playing finals, I mean who wouldn’t want to play in a grand final, but I think we have to come together first as a team before we can worry about any of that.
“Playing finals will always be an aspiration for any team and I would like to think, at least when we put the names down on paper, that we’ll still be able to match it with the best teams, but you don’t know what other teams have got.
“I think with ‘Mads’ (Madeleine Nalder) stepping away it will definitely be a bit of a change, but I think it still shapes as an exciting season for our club.”
SWAN HILL FAST FACTS
JOINED LEAGUE – 1997
COURTS – Alan Garden Reserve
PREMIERSHIPS – 10 (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2023)
A GRADE COACH – To Be Determined
2024 LADDER POSITION – Runner’s Up
2024 BEST & FAIREST – Stevie Bibby
FROM THE COACH
“We just want to have an enjoyable season. It will be a very different side both from a playing and coaching standpoint, but I think with a lot of youth that’s coming through, what’s really exciting within the club is that we’ll be able to hopefully get a lot of girls exposure to playing A grade and start bringing through the next generation.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Karli McIntyre
Recognised as the best centre in the league last season after being named in the CMFNL’s team of the year.
Skillful, fit and an intelligent player, the Swans are always better off with the ball in her hands.
An experienced player who leads from the front, McIntyre’s on-court experience will be invaluable following the departures of Zoe Morris and Casey Frame, with the midcourter needing to be at her best if Swan Hill are to remain premiership contenders.
IN’S
Kelly Bonney
Mollie Quin
OUT’S
Zoe Morris
Tess Meney
Casey Frame
Madeleine Nalder
