![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/590281007_1462705339_77154.jpg\")
“But there’s plenty of youthful enthusiasm in our group.”<\/p>\n
The youngest members of the A-grade team at 17, defender Audrey Domaille and composed goalers Addi Funcke and Ebony Porter are all coming off great A-grade seasons.<\/p>\n
Porter will again line up alongside midcourt ace Cheesman in the Western Warriors VNL 23-and-under team, while Domaille and Funcke also boast previous VNL experience.<\/p>\n
The existing core, including Bella Clark and defenders Remi Hooper and Kate Drew, will be bolstered by prized recruits Rosie Todd, who needs no introduction to Lakers fans, and former Geelong league defender Emma Hawker.<\/p>\n
Todd, a two-time Sally McLean Medal winner (2022-23), has rejoined the Lakers after spending last season travelling.<\/p>\n
Known for her speed, work rate and fearless approach, Todd will add plenty of versatility to a midcourt rotation that is one of the Lakers’ greatest assets.<\/p>\n
“Rosie will be a massive plus for us in the midcourt,” Porter said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a real strong area of the court for us with Sadie, Rosie, Audrey Domaille who can push in there, and Bella Clark, who’s a centre court-shooter.”<\/p>\n
“We’ve also picked up Emma Hawker, who will add to the strength in there.”<\/p>\n
Hawker, a long-time junior and senior player at Colac where she advanced to A-grade, has spent the past couple of seasons with fellow Geelong league club Bell Park.<\/p>\n
She tied for Bell Park’s best and fairest award in 2023, the same year she finished third in the league medal award.<\/p>\n
Porter, who previously coached CHFNL club Carngham Linton’s A-grade and junior teams and C-grade and juniors at North Ballarat, is thrilled to be back in coaching, arriving at Lake Wendouree 12 months after her daughter, A-grade goal shooter Ebony, made the move from North Ballarat.<\/p>\n She said it went without saying that she and Cheesman had big shoes to fill as an A-grade coaching team.<\/p>\n “Absolutely massive,” Porter said.<\/p>\n “That’s why I am happy to have Sadie with me; she knows it all.<\/p>\n “Sadie is amazing \u2013 very mature for her age.<\/p>\n “She brings a wealth of knowledge. She plays at Western Warriors and is a strength and conditioning coach at RAD, so lots of experience.”<\/p>\n Cheesman, who will also coach the under-19s, will bring premiership experience to the role having led the Lakers under-15s to a flag last season.<\/p>\n The Lakers are coming off a stout season in which both the A-grade and B-grade teams reached the semi-finals, C-grade was a grand finalist, D-grade made it through to the preliminary final, and E-grade emerged as premiers in a sign of plenty of depth across the board.<\/p>\n While the aim always is a rise up the ladder, Porter acknowledged it would be a tough challenge with some quality players coming into the league to strengthen many teams.<\/p>\n “You’ve got players coming in from all areas \u2013 Melbourne, Geelong \u2013 so the league is getting stronger,” she said.<\/p>\n “But they (Lakers) are a good bunch who will be together for a while.<\/p>\n “That’s a key, keeping them together.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" LONG-time CHFL and BFNL netball coach Meg Porter says she and her Lake Wendouree playing assistant coach Sadie Cheesman are rapt to have the opportunity to continue to build a young Lakers A-grade group. The new coaching pair, appointed late last year, took proper charge for the first time this month at the Lakers’ first […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/540739285_1381454590_91645.jpg\")