Midcourt signing and welcome return bolster Bloods

AFTER a fourth place finish in 2025, South Bendigo will set its sets higher next season, with a batch of recruits set to boost the club’s fortunes.

The Bloods, who posted a 5-7-1 regular season record on their way to making it through to the first semi-final against Gisborne, have wasted no time addressing some key needs by signing Heathcote District league star Cayde Hayes and Kangaroo Flat premiership defender Stephanie Greene.

The pair will add to a mix that includes dual position threat Karley Hynes, a virtual recruit after missing all of last season.

For Hayes, a dual premiership midcourter with Elmore in 2022 and 2024 and a Bendigo Strikers VNL 23-and-under listed player next season, her signing with the Bloods is her first foray into the powerful BFNL competition.

The signing of Greene marks a return to her home club following two seasons at Dower Park, highlighted by an A-grade premiership this year and a grand final appearance in 2024.

Into her second season at the helm at Harry Trott Oval, coach Lauren Bowles said with few list spots up for grabs across their senior grades, the Bloods had adopted a very strategic approach to their recruiting this off-season.

She is stoked to have added players the calibre of Hayes and Greene.

“Cayde Hayes is part of the Strikers program, which is very exciting for our midcourt, and obviously Steph Greene coming back to South after a stint at Kangaroo Flat, they are two big additions for our club,” Bowles said.

“Cayde’s probably been pondering it (moving to the BFNL) the last couple of years, but it’s time for her to challenge herself with her netball, particularly wanting to take it further in the Strikers program.

“We’re super excited to have her and she will combine nicely with Kyla Byrne and Mop (Andrea Wilson), who had a great, consistent season for us.”

Hayes’ move to South Bendigo reunites her with not only Wilson, who played in both of Elmore’s recent premierships, but the co-coach of those teams Gabe Richards.

The powerhouse goal shooter capped a great first season for the Bloods by winning their best and fairest and will relish having not only one, but two of her former premiership teammates feeding the ball into her in 2026

Bowles said the Bloods were equally pleased to regain Hynes following pregnancy, after she was slated to be a key recruit last season with her versatility at both ends of the court.

A long-time captain, Steph Goode will also return to the court next season, after playing just a handful of games due to pregnancy.

“We are looking good I feel having picked up in each third of the court,” Bowles said.

“And we’ve gained a bit of depth throughout the club.

“Ella Sheehan has come across from Golden Square and will sit someone in our A-squad, while Danni Fallon (nee Wee-Hee) has joined the club and so have Sunny Childs and Simone Edgley.

 

“There’s a bit of experience there, so that’s exactly what we need.

“You need a mix of mature heads and young ones and we’ve got that nice mix at the club at the moment.

“I feel we are going to be stronger.”

The Bloods are excited to welcome back tenacious defender Greene, with Bowles adamant she will have benefited and learned plenty from her stint at BFNL netball powerhouse Kangaroo Flat.

“She really elevated her game to the next level and achieved the ultimate success this year – a premiership,” she said.

“We welcome her back with open arms.

“She will really lead the way with her determination, experience, and unwavering commitment.”

The departures from the Bloods over the off-season are headed by Ella Flavell, who has joined rival club Eaglehawk, and young defender Maggie Burke, who has joined family at Heathcote District club Mount Pleasant.

Encouragingly for the club, in particular with the BFNL introducing a 15-and-under netball competition in 2026, Bowles said the Bloods were putting plenty of work into their junior program over the off-season.

“We’re really making our 13s, 15s and 17s a focal point for the future of our club,” she said.

“Obviously a lot of clubs look at recruiting at the top end, but you can’t keep doing that, you need to focus on the juniors.

“We’re very keen to have a development pathway through juniors and into seniors and it will remain a focus for years to come.”