Farewell: Best-and-fairest winner Chelsea McDonald is a big loss to the Shepparton Swans.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Goulburn Valley League netball stocks are taking a hit after Finley introduced a series of signings last week.
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The Murray Netball League outfit has made a series of statement signings, undoubtedly headlined by the acquisition of Shepparton Swans A-grade standout Chelsea McDonald.
McDonald comes off a campaign in which she claimed the Swans’ best-and-fairest in a difficult season that ended some way off finals.
McDonald’s most prolific success came during her previous years in Finley, where she grew up and came up through the junior divisions at the Cats.
The local signing has previously coached Finley’s A-grade side and achieved plenty on the court in her own right, with multiple best-and-fairest awards in an illustrious spell.
Coach Milly Op’t Hoog was, perhaps understandably, eager about the benefits of such an acquisition.
“Chelsea’s absolutely fantastic. She’s been here, and her family has returned,” Op’t Hoog said.
“She’s going to be incredible for the club, and she’s obviously been such a massive role model for the girls.
“She’s been really instrumental in helping out the other girls coming into the club.”
Far from done there, however, Finley pulled more local representation back home from the GVL, looking to their Cat counterparts in Mooroopna.
There, the ambitious Murray side pulled off a double act with the signings of twins Jasmine and Sienna Burke.
Defensively oriented Jasmine, who also has experience at centre, was part of Mooroopna’s drought-breaking 2023 17-and-under premiership side, the first netball title winners since the Cats entered the GVL.
Goaler Sienna, meanwhile, contributed to the Cats’ top two grades and also received the chance to take on interleague representation for the GVL.
Stepping up: Mooroopna's Sienna Burke in action for the GVL during the 2023 interleague event.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
This might sound like a package deal in itself, but it turns out both were already willing to come - on one condition.
“I was chatting to the Burke twins throughout the year, and the big thing for them was ‘is Chelsea playing?’, so that got them over the line,“ Op’t Hoog said.
“I definitely see them in the senior squad; last year, Sienna had a massive presence in their B-grade and A-grade sides, so I’m really excited to continue that.
“Jasmine’s an incredible and versatile player, and hopefully she stays injury-free.
“I see her slotting into our defence for the A-grade side.”
Further premiership success lends itself to a Finley outfit that struggled in 2023, with Elmore premiership player Georgia Southern arriving out of the Heathcote district.
“Georgia is going to be fantastic. She’s someone who just wants to throw herself in there and put her hand up for everything,” Op’t Hoog said.
The Cats finished 11th with a dismal 4-14 record but saved some face with a final-round victory over Tocumwal in what turned out to be a farewell match for the Bloods.
Brighter days now appear ahead, though.
“The last few years at Finley, it’s been a struggle to field all our teams,” Op’t Hoog said.
“These aren’t a lot of new players, but girls are coming back who have played before and know what the club’s like.
“Chelsea will be fantastic to build that cohesion and help them gel.”
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