Eaglehawk lures youth netball talent

THE transformation of Eaglehawk’s playing list under seasoned coach Jannelle Hobbs has hit fever point with the announcement a swathe of exciting young signings the Hawks help will hasten their rise up the BFNL ladder.

Fresh from the arrival of Bendigo Strikers VNL goaler Mia McCrann-Peters, the Hawks have lured further representative team and VNL-affiliated talent, led by former South Bendigo midcourter Ella Flavell and Koondrook-Barham 2025 premiership star Remy Doyle.

The pair has both spent time in the Bendigo Strikers VNL development system, Flavell in 2024 and Doyle as a VNL Reserves player in 2025.

In a further swelling of the talent pool, the Hawks have enticed former Essendon VFLW player Sienna Hobbs back to netball and added former Golden Square defender Macey Brereton and emerging midcourter and sharpshooting goaler Charli Crawford.

Hobbs said it was exciting and satisfying to see several weeks’ worth of work spent on recruiting pay dividends.

“Our A-squad is looking really strong,” Hobbs declared.

“We’ve had to move a few girls down to B-grade, which will make us stronger across the board.

“We went hard on our recruiting, targeting the areas we thought we needed to, and I feel we now have some depth to our goaling end and our defence and the midcourt too.”

Flavell’s arrival from South Bendigo marks a reunion between player and coach, after the talented midcourter played under Hobbs in her time at Harry Trott Oval.

“I’ve always had a great relationship with Ella, having coached her at South,” Hobbs said.

“Midcourt was an area of concern for us a little bit; we wanted to strengthen the depth and experience.

“I rate Ella very highly. We had a chat at the end of the season, but the decision is only a recent one and a hard one for her.

“She’s friends with Sienna and knows Mia and Chloe (goal shooter Chloe Langley), so it’s a great fit.

“She’s very committed to her netball and hard-working. We’re rapt to have her on board.”

Hobbs tipped former Koondrook-Barham midcourter Doyle to be a bit of a surprise packet for the Hawks in 2026, after playing a central role in the River Raiders rise from wooden spooners to premiers this year.

“She is a jet,” the two-time BFNL premiership coach said.

 

“Not too many people up here (in Bendigo) would have seen too much of her, but she was a standout (in the Central Murray league) and has been involved at Strikers.

“Between her, Ella and Gracie (Berryman), I am very happy with our midcourt, with Eden Clifford pushing for a spot as well.”

Hobbs was stoked to have her daughter, six-foot tall Sienna, back on the netball court after years spent focusing on football, including stints with the Bendigo Pioneers and Essendon’s VFLW

The 19-year-old last played with South Bendigo’s 17-and-under team three years ago, but was talent identified as a junior, and will provide tall and athletic support to the Hawks’ established defensive combination of reigning best and fairest Allira Holmes and two-time winner Morgan Keating.

“Sienna will still play footy with Eaglehawk and do both, but she’s the tall we need back there in defence that we’ve been missing against those bigger shooters,” Hobbs said.

“She reads the ball well and is a natural defender and I can see her working well with Allira and Morgan.

“She hasn’t played A-grade before, but fitted in seamlessly at trials and is looking forward to it.”

Hobbs said the additions of youngster Crawford, tall defender Brereton, whose 2025 A-grade season with Golden Square ended prematurely due to stress fractures, Jemma Finning and former lake Boga midcourter Montana Davies would add significant depth to the A-squad.

Another fast and agile midcourter, Finning was playing coach of Maryborough Castlemaine District league club Campbells Creek in 2025.

The Hawks will be aiming to push their way up from fifth spot in 2025, after finishing with a 4-8-1 record and playing one final.

From last year’s line-up, Holmes, Keating, Langley, midcourters Berryman, Clifford and Darcey Lloyd, and Abbey McLean and have all recommitted