Tongala has made its move in the coaching department after another fruitful 2024 campaign, appointing star goaler Milly Brock as a co-coach alongside existing boss Grace Hammond, who returns to the job next year.
Brock has served as the focal point under the ring during two highly-successful years for the Blues, playing in their 2023 Murray Netball League premiership as they came within two goals of a grand final berth once more this year, falling narrowly to Moama in the preliminary final.
Things came together at the right time for her to take a more senior position, she said.
“It was kind of a joint decision after having conversations with a few people higher up at the club,” Brock said.
“I was quite interested in taking on a coaching role and it’s about time in my career to take the next step.
“I wasn’t confident in taking it on by myself as game days are a bit much when you’re focusing on your own game at the same time, but it’s easy to do it with Grace.
“I’ve done coaching here and there with junior clinics and those types of things, but I’ve never had an official role. I’ve been around for a little bit and it’s now become my home here, so I felt Tongala was the right place to take that step.
“With all our senior sides being extremely successful, there’s a lot of talent within our community and we don’t want to look too far outside that.”
The news for Tongala’s ace wasn’t done there either, becoming one of a handful of locals to reaffirm their commitment to a burgeoning Bendigo Strikers side for next year’s Victorian Netball League.
It was a solid first year for the regional outfit and, with a wealth of VNL experience under her belt, Brock was a natural fit at the club.
“I’ve played in the VNL since 2014, but what we were able to build with the culture and the professionalism of the club exceeded my expectations,” Brock said.
“I thought this would be my last year, but the club convinced me to have another one.
“Not many of us had played together before, but all the girls are very skilled and we really hit our stride later in the season.
“We’ve signed everyone again and having those relationships formed convinced me to stay.”
As the VNL side heads into its second season, another local will earn the chance to forge those same relationships in the top flight.
Shepparton Swans starlet Harriet Gall has received a promotion at the Strikers, now set to feature as part of their championship squad alongside the likes of Brock and Hocking after playing their inaugural season in the 23-and-under side.
Having claimed the club’s award as its best new talent at that level, 2024 was every bit as advertised for the fast-rising midcourter, with a berth in state and national-level pathways rewarded via her place on the championship roster.
Closer to home, though, reigning Murray Netball League A-grade premier Rumbalara made a coaching announcement of its own.
Premiership-winning boss Jess Bamblett will go around once more in an effort to deny the likes of Hammond and Brock another flag, having overseen a campaign in which the Rumba girls were victorious on the day in every game with only an administrative fault preventing a perfect season.
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