Sport
Mooroopna, Euroa feature heavily in 2024 Shepparton News Goulburn Valley League A-grade Team of the Year
Premiership droughts were broken, champion contenders emerged and former favourites were challenged in a 2024 Goulburn Valley League season that delivered in spades.
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Euroa finally broke its duck, dethroning Echuca to claim its first A-grade title in 41 years, while the likes of Mooroopna and Tatura continued to build on growing sovereignties.
So, who stood out among the pack?
The News’ sports desk tasked itself with the tricky assignment of selecting a team of the year for the 2024 GVL A-grade season — and let it be known, this was far from a free shot from under the ring.
But enough small talk — let’s dive into it.
Dayna Williams (GK)
Mooroopna’s graceful bastion has locked down this spot among a wall of cut-throat competition.
Recovering from a ruptured ACL and torn MCL is one thing, but to do it with such gusto and steer the Cats to a preliminary final — and help seal an interleague victory over Ovens and Murray — was simply remarkable.
After missing the first two games while rehabilitating, Williams went from strength to strength in the defensive arc.
She formed a formidable partnership with Caitlin McLachlan and was a key reason why Mooroopna went as far as it did in 2024.
Sarah Szczykulski (GD)
This is where things may get controversial.
While Caitlin McLachlan would’ve been at short odds for the starting goal defence spot after polling third in the Wellman Medal count, you have to factor in what Szczykulski is all about.
She lost her defensive partner Courtney Aldous to injury early on in the season, but still earned weekly praise from Seymour playing coach Ellie Fuhrmeister for her consistency in an adapted role, having played the bulk of her netball in goal keeper.
Her range and guile around the ring make her one of the best we’ve seen in recent years, and that’s enough to see her return to The News’ Team of the Year for another season.
Asha Gray (WD)
Another youngster off the Mooroopna production line, Gray, like Szczykulski, has varied her role from 2023.
She predominantly played in wing attack last season, but shone in wing defence for the Cats in 2024, leaping around the court to cut out stacks of ball and start attacks for her side.
Gray only seems to be improving under Di Hanslow’s wise tutelage and she too is among the flock of GVL netballers to impress in the top flight of the Victorian Netball League.
Her progressive passing is a real asset and will undoubtedly be so again in 2025.
Mia Fallon (C)
What can’t Fallon do?
After a number of years spent out west — where she won the Port Hedland Netball Association best-and-fairest last year — Fallon returned to Mooroopna and picked up exactly where she left off in Cats colours.
The powerful and vocal midcourter was a technician in centre for Hanslow’s side, oozing class to finish second in the Wellman Medal count upon returning to the league.
Cats fans will be hoping she doesn’t have any more travel plans booked.
Hollie Reid (WA)
Talent really does flow in Reid’s veins and as the sister of West Coast star Harley Reid, Euroa’s brilliant midcourter has well and truly earned her spot on this list.
More ‘don’t blink’ than ‘don’t argue’, Reid’s electric speed and athleticism often leaves her opposites in the dust as she hot-steps from left to right with effortless ease.
Reid was tipped as the Magpies’ missing piece after they secured her signature from Kyabram and she proved it true by helping Euroa win the flag in 2024.
The best-on-court medal in the grand final only further emboldened her name here.
Belinda Lees (GA)
This was another of the tougher spots to pick in this starting seven.
Seymour’s Ellie Fuhrmeister, Rochester’s Teal Hocking and Euroa’s Mia Sudomirski all had a strong hand up for selection, but Lees has downright carried Echuca in 2024.
Without goaling partner Sheridan Townrow, Lees, a 2023 premiership coach, came oh so close to leading her Murray Bombers to back-to-back flags with an arguably weaker side than last season.
Her leadership, movement and long-range shooting are a sight to behold.
Kim Borger (GS)
It was one or the other naming the goal shooter for this team and we went with Borger.
Beating out Euroa’s Olivia Morris for the starting spot, Shepparton’s sparkling spearhead is simply brilliant under the ring with laser accuracy and an unmatched pedigree.
The former Melbourne Vixen helped launch the Bears to a semi-final berth in 2024 and was bestowed the Wellman Family Medal for her troubles, capping a scintillating season from an individual and team perspective.
Hopefully she’ll back for more in 2025.
Ellie Warnock (coach)
After the heartache of last year, Warnock played her cards perfectly to lay down a winning hand in the grand final and lead Euroa to an elusive premiership.
She played as much of a role on the court as she did off it, starring in what will go down in Magpies folklore as the side that defied the odds.
Interchange
Olivia Morris (Euroa): Banking an absurd 907 goals for the season, Morris’ return was a huge component in the Magpies’ premiership season.
Ellie Fuhrmeister (Seymour): The Seymour playing captain was clutch all season, with a fearsome shooting capability and solid tactical nous.
Elsie Boyer (Tatura): A youngster who plays well beyond her years, Boyer is a genuine gem and is one of the top three centres in the competition.
Teal Hocking (Rochester): She shoots, she scores. Rochester’s crown jewel, Hocking has cut it on the local and state scene and seems destined for greatness.
Caitlin McLachlan (Mooroopna): Third place in the Wellman Family Medal count only says half of what this fierce competitor is all about. Leader through and through.
Honourable mentions
Natasha Atkinson-Brown (Shepparton Swans), Ash Mangan (Echuca), Molly Kennedy (Tatura), Mia Sudomirski (Euroa), Tamara Skinner (Shepparton United), Paigan Impey (Shepparton), Molly Boyle (Tatura) and Laura Cole (Shepparton United).
Senior Sports Journalist