By David Nagel
Over the Christmas period, the News’ sports team will be re-sharing some of the most popular stories from over the course of 2024.
Thank you for supporting our newspapers over the course of the year. We hope you enjoy the selection and have a wonderful holiday period, however you choose to celebrate.
Cora Lynn’s freshly-minted league medal winner Gemma Stacey is one of four new debutants selected in the 2024 WGFNC Netball Team of the Year (TOTY).
Stacey, who tied with Korumburra-Bena’s Gemma Dixon for this years’ award, is joined by Inverloch-Kongwak’s Ella Sadler and Dalyston’s Gemma Thomas as first-time selections, while coach Liza Burrows was a standout choice as coach after leading Inverloch-Kongwak to an undefeated home-and-away season.
Burrows will be looking to make it a perfect 20 from 20 when the Sea Eagles search for their third-consecutive A Grade premiership against Dalyston at Garfield on Saturday.
Goal Shooter Stacey has played a key role as an experienced head in a new-look Cora Lynn team that played finals netball for the first time in WGFNC history.
The Cobras tasted finals success with a week-one win over Kilcunda-Bass, before Nar Nar Goon ended their season in the first semi-final at Cora Lynn.
Stacey would have a plethora of opportunities running out with this team of superstars, headlined by Dixon in Goal Defence and Renee Pilkington as Goal Keeper.
Dixon and Pilkington have been the standout players in the seven-year history of the WGFNC, with both earning their sixth TOTY selections in 2024.
They tied for the league-medal last year; Pilkington’s third award, while Dixon proved it no fluke by making it back-to-back wins with her joint victory with Stacey this season.
Dixon earned her first four selections (2017, 18, 21 and 22) on the interchange, but for the last two years has been chosen as a starting defender alongside Pilkington.
The growing respect that Dixon has earned across the WGFNC netball courts has also contributed to her being named captain of this year’s side.
Dixon and Pilkington are part of a five-strong group of players that have been selected after earning positions last year.
Inverloch dynamos Kelsey Buxton and Lanni Pryor earn starting roles in Centre and Wing Attack respectively, while Kooweerup sharp-shooter Ashlee Murphy earns an interchange position for the second time in two years.
Buxton and Pryor are relentless figures through the midcourt for the Sea Eagles, and will be two players to watch when they try to create a special piece history on the weekend.
Bunyip’s Ally Johnson returns to the position of Wing Defence; a spot she held in the 2022 TOTY; after the Bulldogs made a threatening run towards that year’s grand final.
Johnson was part of the Bunyip team that inflicted Inverloch-Kongwak’s last loss in the WGFNC; 39 games ago in the 2022 second semi-final!
Unbelievably…the Sea Eagles have been undefeated ever since; this week searching for their 40th consecutive victory.
Another to reappear in this year’s team is Nar Nar Goon’s Chantelle Dale, who sits on interchange after being the starting Centre in ’22.
Dale played a huge role in Nar Nar Goon’s late-season heroics, that saw it sneak into sixth place and make it all the way through to the preliminary final against Dalyston.
Tooradin-Dalmore defender Ebony Dolan earns her third selection in the side, after previously getting the nod in 2019 and 2021, and continues to shine as one of the most competitive players in the league.
Dalyston’s Jarney Thomas has earned the pivotal role of Goal Attack in this year’s team, after being selected on the interchange bench; and coach of the team, back in 2021.
A total of 50 players and coaches have now been selected in the squad since the inaugural season of the WGFNC in 2017.
The team was announced at the WGFNC presentation night held at the Warragul Greyhounds on Monday September 9.
Dalyston’s Chloe Cengia was selected as Umpire of the Year after a sensationally consistent season with whistle in hand.
2024 WGFNC A GRADE TEAM OF THE YEAR
GOAL SHOOTER
Gemma Stacey
Cora Lynn
GOAL ATTACK
Jarney Thomas
Dalyston
WING ATTACK
Lanni Pryor
Inverloch Kongwak
CENTRE
Kelsey Buxton
Inverloch Kongwak
WING DEFENCE
Ally Johnson
Bunyip
GOAL DEFENCE
Gemma Dixon
Korumburra Bena (Captain)
GOAL KEEPER
Renee Pilkington
Inverloch Kongwak
INTERCHANGE
Ella Sadler
Inverloch Kongwak
Ashlee Murphy
Koo Wee Rup
Chantelle Dale
Nar Nar Goon
Ebony Dolan
Tooradin Dalmore
Gemma Thomas
Dalyston
COACH
Liza Burrows
Inverloch Kongwak
