Not backing down: Kellie Davidson (right) is one of Euroa’s stars gearing up for a make-or-break final this weekend.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Euroa’s famous black and white tones are a good representation of its form on either side of a well-known pandemic.
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The Magpies’ A-grade brigade went from wooden spooner for two years running in 2018 and 2019 to finals regulars the past two years and now it can proudly call itself a minor premier.
How did this miraculous turnaround occur?
It’s largely down to a meticulous procuring of talent, talent which has boosted Euroa into a must-win final against Tatura on Sunday.
One such star is deft midcourter Kellie Davidson.
A Victorian Netball League (VNL) stalwart of 10 years Davidson was coaxed to the club by A-grade coach Ellie Warnock, who also happens to be her cousin.
What she’s helped contribute to in three seasons has been a sharp U-turn in direction for Euroa and now the Magpies are not only mimicking other clubs’ success, but showing them how it’s done.
“My first year was 2021 and we were still building then, but it was a huge improvement on the results I heard they were getting prior to that,” Davidson said.
“Last year again, even just making finals and winning a final was huge for the club.
“To finish minor premiers this year is huge; it’s been a very, very long time since the club has done it or maybe even not at all ― the A-grade netballers to finish minor premiers.
“We’re really proud of that, but it doesn’t stop there. We do want to get as far as we can in finals and to go out in straight sets would be disappointing.”
Star signing: Kellie Davidson has been a great coup for Euroa since joining in 2021.
Photo by
Zac Standish
Euroa has been a pacesetter this season, but as Davidson rightly pointed out, any team inside the six could go on to win it.
But she’s used to razor-sharp competition.
Davidson grew up in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, starting at a local club at the Vermont South courts before dipping her toe into representative netball.
The VNL clubs came calling, so off she went on a circuitous journey from Ariels to Southern Saints and back.
This season has been her first out of the state’s top flight and it’s safe to say she’s thriving without the added engagement.
“I love playing for Euroa so much, I find that’s where I’ve been enjoying my netball the most, so it’s been good to take a step back from all of the netball and all the commitments and just focus on Euroa,” she said.
“Obviously we’re all there because we enjoy playing netball, but we all get on so well.
“It’s just so much fun, everyone supports everyone, the football and netball I feel like it’s very even. I think it’s just the people that make it such a great club to be at.”
Euroa has great people who are also great netballers.
One of the best: Kellie Davidson was Euroa’s joint best-and-fairest winner in 2022.
Photo by
Zac Standish
The side is teeming with current and former VNL talent such as Davidson, Warnock and Mia Sudomirski, while other stars such as Tylah Marchbank and Sarah Ternes have come out of the woodwork.
Davidson shared Euroa’s best-and-fairest with Marchbank last year and lost out to the silky defender by six votes in 2023, but individual accolades aren’t top of the agenda.
A premiership is.
After losing to Mooroopna 44-38 last weekend, Euroa cannot afford another loss and must knock over Tatura at Tatura on Sunday to keep the dream alive.
“Losing last weekend was disappointing, but we’re still feeling positive and looking forward to this weekend,” Davidson said.
“We beat Tat during the season, but I don’t think that means much to be honest, finals is a completely different ball game and we’ll be taking this game very, very seriously.
“We know that they’ve been having some great results recently, especially beating Seymour the last two games they’ve played.”
And if Euroa was to go all the way?
It’s almost unfathomable and, to keep the delirium at bay, Davidson is fixed on the task at hand rather than letting a potential fairytale consume her thoughts.
“That would be massive. It feels so close, but still so far, obviously there’s three games to go, but we’ll just be focusing on Tatura this Sunday at the moment,” she said.
“Hopefully we can get past that one and then keep working our way towards the big one because that is the goal.”
