by Emma Ballingall
Local rivals Warragul and Drouin are expected to continue their high ranking on the Gippsland League ladder in season 2025.

The two sides certainly impressed last season, finishing second and third.
It was Warragul who defeated eventual premiers Moe in the semi-finals, with Drouin falling agonisingly short of joining them in the grand final.

2024: Runner-up
A grade coach: Kim Weller
Outs: Becky Dixon (retired)
Players to watch: Although the club refused to single out any one player, no doubt goaler Emma Ryde and key defender Renee Cook remain key to the Gulls' success. In her first year at the club, Emma's towering height simply proved too much for opponents. She shot more than 900 goals during the regular season before finals, averaging 53 goals per game. Although stepping down from her co-coaching role, Renee is back and fitter than ever before. She can either hold down a key defensive role or switch into the midcourt.
Rising star: The Gulls are keeping a close eye on midcourter Brooke Cahill and goaler Audrey Simpson as they continue to develop and start making a mark at the senior level. Brooke, who is playing with Gippsland Stars, oozes potential. Audrey, who played under 15s last season, is described as "Miss Consistency" and quietly goes about improving her game.
Kim said all the A grade side re-signed prior to last year's grand final appearance, reinforcing their belief in the club and future. She believes this is because of the genuine connections amongst the playing group and enjoyment they have together on court.
Midcourter Sienna Green is an absolute gun in the midcourt, defender Ella Rees can shutdown any goaler and experienced goaler Jaime Rollinson is renowned for her feeding and netball smarts. Another long-serving Gull is Alex Cole who plays a key midcourt role and can swing into defence, whilst Lily Sheehan can pester and halt the best wing attacks in the league whilst also offering defensive drive.
Kim expects Moe to be the Gulls' greatest competition, having recruited Tasmanian gun goaler Ashlea Mawer to add depth to their premiership side. She also expects Morwell to improve after a blimp last season. Her roughie is Bairnsdale who slipped into finals as a young side on the rise.

2024: 3rd
A grade coach: Ruby Pratt
Ins: Regan Joyce (elevated), Christie Edwards (Phillip Island)
Out: Ava Gaul (moved to city), Ebony Mumford (pregnancy)
Players to watch: The league best and fairest April Bethune can do it all. Expect her hot form to continue into 2025. Ella Henderson, after a smashing pre-season, is also a key player for the Hawks. She can play across all three midcourt positions.
Rising stars: Tall goaler Charlize Traumanis now has a year of A grade under her belt. A target in the ring, she shot more than 400 goals last season and will only continue to grow and develop under the guidance of her experienced teammates. Regan Joyce, stepping up from juniors and B grade, will likely help fill the midcourt void left by Ava Gaul. A co-captain of the Gippsland Stars' under 19s team, Regan has made the transition from junior goaler to senior midcourter and will make the most of this opportunity.
Ruby Pratt is looking forward to the challenge of stepping into the A grade coaching role. She has plenty of experience, having coached with VNL side Gippsland Stars and several interleague teams.
With minimal changes, Ruby said the club had looked to its B grade and juniors to fill any voids. Christie Edwards is welcomed back to Drouin as an experienced head. It is not yet known where Christie will best fit, but - along with Ruby and Regan - could filter through the midcourt.
Ruby expects Moe and Warragul to be the top two teams, having recruited well to boost their already strong sides.
After a drop last year, she also expects Morwell to be a contender after getting a few players back.