
A Grade netball action is back in the Alinta Energy Gippsland League and we are going to take a look at the 10 teams vying for the 2022 premiership.
Bairnsdale
The Red Legs are still a very young side with a lot of talent. Coming from 10th position in 2021 they will be relying on the development of their younger stars for their improvement this year. Alison Dwyer is their star who will hopefully be available for most of the season.
Predicted finish – Outside the top 5 (7-10)
Drouin
An interesting side that will be hard to get a handle on until we see them in action. They nearly have the core of their side back from when they were a top contender with Ruby Pratt and April Bethune returning to the Maroon and Gold. Stacie Gardiner is the key, arguably the best player in the League she will be vital with Sister Karina in the ring. Games early against Traralgon, Warragul and Maffra will be vital to see how their season shapes up.
Predicted finish – Finals Contender (4-7)

Leongatha
The Parrots have kept most of their squad together from 2021 which saw them finish as the second placed team at seasons end. They won vital games against the top tier teams which gives them great confidence coming into 2022. A strong team that will be hoping star Taylah Brown will be available throughout the season. Nicola Marriott was the League’s best and fairest last year and gives them plenty of drive through the center position. It’s hard to see them finishing outside the top 3.
Predicted finish – Premiership contender (Top 3)
Maffra
It has been a long time since the Eagles A team saw finals action. They are always a competitive side and a lot of their quality juniors are still filtering into the senior sides. Still likely to miss the finals purely based on the high standard of the teams they will be competing with. Emma Allman has established herself as a perennial team of the year standard player through the mid court. If the younger stars can fire they may challenge for that 5th position.
Predicted finish – Outside the top 5 (6-8)
Moe
Looked set to feature in the last game in 2021 had the season not been cut short. They have recruited heavily in the past two seasons and will rely on the availability of star Georgia Moody and the Gourley sisters to take the team back to premiership glory. Ramayer has taken on the coaching role and has been one of the best defenders in the League while sister Taylin should again easily pass the 500 goal mark with the quality around her. Like the Parrots it is hard to see them missing the top 3 if all their players are available.
Predicted finish – Premiership contender (Top 3)

Morwell
Still the reigning premiers despite looking like they could have potentially missed finals in 2021. The Tigers look set to be one of the teams to beat again with four key inclusions into their team. Rachel Tatterson and Claire Allison return in 2022 along with the recruitment of Shannen Freeman and Traralgon’s Saskia Eenjes. If Daisy Hill can get back to her best then they will be right there in the mix come September.
Predicted finish – Premiership contender (Top 3)
Sale
Superstar coach Jo Ballinger returns for another season leading the Magpies. The young side continues to fight to establish themselves back into Gippsland League contention. Under 19s VNL star Teagan Harrison will do much of the goaling work while Rachel Ronaldson is a welcome addition. Potentially without Jenny Wrigglesworth this season who was starting to become one of the League’s top goalers. Like Bairnsdale will rely on their youth development to challenge for wins in 2022.
Predicted finish – Outside the top 5 (7-10)
Traralgon
The Maroons have had a lot of personnel changeover since their 2019 Grand Final appearance. Maddison Stockdale returns which will give them a boost while Kate French should be available during the season. Caitlan Ponton is out and Rookie of the Year from 2021 Emma White has moved for university. They should have enough to contend for the finals and still challenge the top sides but are a tough team to call for 2022.
Predicted finish – Finals Contender (4-7)
Warragul
Probably the hardest side to predict for 2022. They lose League best and fairest Christie Hillberg and gain 2018 League best and fairest Renee Cook back. Shannen Freeman also departs from a side that was contending. They will still be among the top teams and the results against the likes of Moe, Leongatha and Morwell will be crucial to where they finish come seasons end.
Predicted finish – Top 5

Wonthaggi Power
After a winless season the Power jumped a number of sides in 2021. They looked set to challenge for a top 5 spot at times and now welcome back one of their club legends in Courtney Blair (Young). A good mix of youth with some talented experience could see them feature come September in 2022. Results against the likes of Drouin, Maffra and Traralgon will be vital to their season.
Predicted finish – Finals Contender (4-7)