All Mulwala football and netball teams have ample numbers of players leading into season 2023.
Netball 2006 premiership player and simultaneously premiership coach of the Under 17s, Narelle Donovan is the new A Grade coach for 2023 and couldn’t be happier with what she is seeing at Lonsdale Reserve.
“Numbers are amazing and excellent quality,” she said. “The numbers are the best I’ve ever seen in the last 20 years at Mulwala,” she said.
“We have 13 new players at A and B levels, with many from Yarrawonga. There’s a really good vibe, a really good feel about the place.”
But the senior coach is wary of first-up opponent Moama, on Saturday April 1, at Moama. “Moama’s always strong and hard to beat over there,” Narelle said.
Last year’s A Grade coach Bree Boyer (nee Flanagan) will play. B Grade will be coached this season by Kim Sneddon and last year’s leader Cara Wood will also play.
In football, Mulwala has recruited well, with forward Harley Middleton from Berrigan, centre-half-forward Jackson Meade from Yarrawonga and several onballers and versatile players from Yarrawonga, including Oscar Elliott returning to the Lions after claiming the Pigeons’ Under 18 best and fairest winner last season, Zec Cuppens, Kaydon Sharp, Connor Griffiths and Zac Scott.
Last year’s centre-half-forward Beau Clarke has gone to Melbourne, tall ruckman Jamie Smith has also returned to Melbourne, Sean Johns will coach Tungamah and Bradley Wilson will also play for the Bears.
Mulwala’s football manager Dale Ferguson said the pre season is “going according to the script”. “The players have worked extremely hard this pre season and they’re certainly making their preference felt,” he said.
“About 12 players have come down here also of a Saturday morning during pre season for extra training – of their own volition.”