The Barooga-raised midcourt starlet has trained at the Australian Institute of Sport, represented Victoria in national tournaments and has now earned herself a spot on the Melbourne Mavericks Reserves squad.
She won’t be the only local suiting up in Mavericks blue either.
Ex-Rochester shooter Teal Hocking was named in the Mavericks’ inaugural squad to be headed up by ex-Shepparton mentor and current Nathalia and Bendigo Strikers coach Tracey Brereton.
“This squad is filled with talent and I am excited to see how we develop and grow, not only as a team, but also as individual players,” Brereton said.
“This competition will allow these girls to compete and prepare for SSN level, especially for our young stars who haven’t played in the Super Netball Reserves before.”
One young star who’s out to make a splash is O’Dwyer.
Brereton, O’Dwyer’s coach and mentor at the Strikers, said it’s another step in the gifted talent’s netballing career.
“She’s the sort of kid who is very coachable and just wants to take on everything she can to make herself better,” Brereton said.
“And she has the qualities of an elite athlete, in the way she looks after her body.”
Brereton, who hails from Numurkah, said O’Dwyer would be right in the mix to be selected each weekend.
“It’s great to see a young country athlete making their way and showing girls out there that it doesn’t matter where you live. As long as you’ve got support around, you can do anything,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to expose them to that next level and what it looks like and to rub shoulders with the Mavs coaches ... and all the players and training partners.”
As inaugural coach for the Mavericks Reserves this year, Brereton said she was excited by the potential she saw in the squad.
“I think we’ve got a really good mix with the training partners and the youth mixed in,” she said.
While it was too early to tell where exactly O’Dwyer will fit into the squad, Brereton said selectors would be on the lookout for the next Maverick.
“That’s where Mack fits in,” she said.
“She’s right in the mix there to be selected each weekend. I think she’s a great young talent.”
Meanwhile, Hocking’s meteoric rise up the national netball pyramid continues with her selection in the Mavericks Reserves.
She switched allegiance from Rochester to Kangaroo Flat in the off-season, but will fly her hometown’s flag high when donning Melbourne Mavericks colours in 2025.
Former Shepparton United defender Zoe Davies was also named as part of the Mavericks Reserves’ inaugural 12-player squad.
The side will host its first game at Waverley Netball Centre on May 3, taking on the Firebirds Futures.
