The Sunbury Lions are backing some young guns to step in and fill the hole left by the departure of star goaler Rebecca Hicks, while they have signed an Australian under-21 squad member.
Coming off a grand final loss, the Lions will again have a strong squad as they look to remain one of the contenders.
Coach Kim Bailey said they were happy with the squad that they’d put together.
“There’s lots of opportunity for all the girls and it gives me a fair few options,” she said.
“We’ve got a really strong base to build off.”
The Lions have lost star goal shooter Rebecca Hicks, who has moved to Warrnambool.
She shot 1000 goals this year.
Two-time league best and fairest winner Simona Di Filippo, who finished runner-up this year is also on the move.
The Lions have looked to bring in reinforcements with the signing of three new players.
Former Melbourne Vixens training partner Ruby Shannon has also signed with the Lions.
She will join several of her Western Warriors teammates at the Lions.
“She will be in the Mavericks reserves team and will play SN reserves with the Mavs so we won’t have her straight away,” Bailey said of Shannon.
“We get more in depth with her. Georgia [Hellyer] showed in the grand final that she could hold down wing attack.
“We might put Tayla [Honey] back in defence and Ruby could play in centre.”
Charlize Bellette and Lani Fauonuku will team up with Caitlin Hill in the goal shooting circle.
Hill has signed on full time for the Lions this season.
Bellette crosses from Romsey in the Riddell District Netball League where she led goalscoring.
Bailey said that Bellette had come on leaps and bounds in the past 12 months having played with the Geelong Cougars in the Victorian Netball League 23 and under side this year.
This season she will play with the Western Warriors.
“It’s going to be different for her and we will likely play her more out at goal attack,” Bailey said.
“There’s a lot of Warriors girls at the Lions so she’ll learn a lot.”
Fauonuku returns to the Lions.
The 2024 premiership player departed to play with her sister at Melton, but only played a couple of games early in the season with the Bloods.
She was recently named a training partner for the Melbourne Mavericks for the SN reserves competition.
Bailey said they would always welcome back players when they could have developed a strong culture.
Bailey said they were excited to see what both could go.
“They are two young kids coming in and both are in the top 25 for the Victorian under-19 squad.
“Lani is also in the Australian under-17 squad.
“It will be a good challenge and we will have a really tall attacking end.”
