Hocking shoots her way onto Mavs training partner list

STAR Bendigo Strikers and Kangaroo Flat goaler Teal Hocking has seized her biggest opportunity yet, joining Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) club Melbourne Mavericks as a 2026 training partner.

Hocking, one of the stars of Kangaroo Flat’s drought-breaking BFNL A-grade premiership last season, was confirmed as the Mavs’ final training partner on Wednesday night.

She joins fellow Strikers star Charlotte Sexton, Ruby Shannon and Charli Hoey as part of the extended Mavs squad.

Shannon, who will line up with Ballarat league powerhouse Sunbury when available this season, represents Western Warriors at VNL level, while Hoey is affiliated with Geelong Cougars.

Hocking’s rise to training partner status continues her impressive rise through the Victorian netball pathway.

The 21-year-old, who originally hails from Rochester, has been a pillar in attack during the Strikers’ two seasons in the VNL.

She has finished runner-up in the club’s best and fairest award in the Strikers’ first two seasons in the state’s premier netball competition, on both occasions behind fellow Mavs training partner Sexton.

A powerful and accurate shooter, she has been a standout for the Strikers, consistently delivering elite output headlined by a 42–goal, 91 per cent performance in round four of the 2025 season.

She was one of four Strikers players selected in the VNL Championship team of the year.

Hocking has already gained valuable experience within the Mavs system, having contributed strongly to the club’s reserves team across 2025, including during the club’s run to the Super Netball Reserves grand final in their inaugural year in the competition.

Mavs head coach Gerard Murphy said Hocking’s elevation was a natural progression for an athlete whose impact continues to surge.

“Teal is one of the most exciting young goalers coming through the Victorian system,” he said.

“She’s accurate, powerful and adaptable, and she consistently stands up in big moments.

“We’ve watched her grow rapidly over the past two seasons – both with Bendigo and inside the Mavs Reserves environment – and she’s earned this opportunity through work ethic and performance.

“She rounds out a training partner group that brings genuine depth and ambition to our 2026 program.”

A Victorian under-19 representative in 2023, Hocking proved to be one of the missing ingredients in Kangaroo Flat’s rise from BFNL grand finalists in 2022 and 2024 to premiers in 2025.

Despite playing sparingly during the season due to her Strikers and Mavs Reserves commitments, she was a pivotal performer in the Roos’ two finals wins.

Hocking had already been included in the Mavs Reserves squad for this season before her elevation as a training partner.

Strikers head coach Tracey Brereton will again coach the reserves team.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks will kick off their 2026 SSN campaign in Bendigo where, fittingly, the Strikers will play in a VNL curtain-raiser against the Boroondara Express ahead of the Mavs taking on the Giants.

The games will take place at Red Energy Arena.

Tickets are currently on sale via Ticketek.