Not content with three consecutive Bellarine Netball Association A Grade premierships, Ocean Grove has moved to strengthen its squad for the 2026 season with three key signings.
The Grubbers needed replacements for midcourter Emily Moroney and defender Georgia Berry.
Premiership captain Moroney is out for the year after suffering an ACL injury in the grand final on 13 September although she will stay involved in some capacity while Berry won’t return to the Ray Menzies Oval courts.
Barwon Heads midcourter Perri Jones has signed on and returns to the club where she began her netball journey and will slot in as Moroney’s replacement while Julia Mitchell’s recruitment will see her partner with Amanda O’Malley in defence.
Mitchell did her ACL at the start of this season while playing with Thomson in the Geelong & District Netball League, but should be fit for the start of the 2026 campaign.
Another key signing is Bridgette Furphy, who won the best and fairest in 2024 for VNL club Bendigo Strikers. Furphy, a goaler, has been at Bell Park and was a former Geelong Cougars star where she linked up with fellow Ocean Grove goaler Zanna Woods. Furphy and Woods were a dynamic duo for Leopold in 2018.
Premiership coach Mel Holmes said the trio will add depth and versatility to her squad, which at times, was stretched through injury and unavailability last season.
“I needed depth to our team and they have added that,” she said.
“One of the things they all bring is that they are quality people. It’s not just their skillset I’m excited about. They are all good people first, which was something I was looking for.
“You can’t stand still in this competition because it’s so competitive. We’re hoping we have the nucleus of a strong squad to challenge again.
Furphy’s addition will allow Holmes the freedom to mix up her attacking end.
Jones was Barwon Heads’ best player in the round 6 clash this season and caused the midcourt all sorts of problems. She can also play all three midcourt positions and showed strong leadership skills in the A Grade side last season
Mitchell, a former Geelong Cougars Under 19s player, missed this season’s GDNL premiership with Thomson after rupturing her ACL, but played a key role in coaching and assisting on game day. She won Barwon Heads best and fairest twice, played at Queenscliff before joining Thomson and is a ready made replacement in defence.
The Grubbers B Grade side will be coached by O’Malley and Georgia Ryan next season with preseason training set to kick off on 27 November.
