CHARLOTTE Sexton says she is grateful for the trust shown in her by the Melbourne Mavericks, after being elevated from the club’s 11th player to a permanent replacement player.<\/p>\n
In a massive vote of confidence in the Bendigo-born and bred defender, the Mavs last Thursday announced the 22-year-old would join the club’s contracted squad of 10 for the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n
Sexton replaces Tara Hinchliffe, who has been ruled out for the season, following a devastating ACL injury sustained in round 3.<\/p>\n
Her promotion came ahead of the Mavs’ round 8 clash against the NSW Swifts at John Cain Arena last weekend.<\/p>\n
Sexton – a two-time championship best and fairest with her VNL club, Bendigo Strikers – initially joined the Mavs’ senior program<\/p>\n
following an outstanding 2025 season in which she won gold with the Australian 21-and-under team at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, starting at goal keeper throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n
She was named as the Mavs’ 11th player on the eve of the season, before being elevated into the match day squad in round 4 and making her SSN debut in Round 5 against the Sunshine Coast Lightning.<\/p>\n
Sexton played her most significant minutes yet in the Mavs’ one-goal win over Queensland Firebirds in round 7, where she was injected at goal keeper to help counter the influence of 201cm shooter Mary Cholhok.<\/p>\n
She said the promotion was a moment she had been working towards since joining the Mavs environment.<\/p>\n
“I’m really grateful for the trust the club has shown in me,” Sexton said.<\/p>\n
“The support from the playing group and coaches has been incredible, and I’m excited to keep learning and contributing however I can to the team.”<\/p>\n
Mavs general manager Shae Bolton-Brown said Sexton’s elevation was a reflection of both opportunity and performance.<\/p>\n
“Charlotte has stepped up every time she’s been asked this season,” Bolton-Brown said.<\/p>\n
“She prepared thoroughly as our 11th player, took her opportunity when she was brought into the match day squad, and has shown composure and competitiveness at SSN level.<\/p>\n
“While we’re still devastated for Tara, we’re pleased to be able to reward Charlotte with a permanent place in the squad.”<\/p>\n
Sexton originally hails from Bendigo Football Netball League club Sandhurst and was a winner of the league’s Rising Star award in 2023.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CHARLOTTE Sexton says she is grateful for the trust shown in her by the Melbourne Mavericks, after being elevated from the club’s 11th player to a permanent replacement player. In a massive vote of confidence in the Bendigo-born and bred defender, the Mavs last Thursday announced the 22-year-old would join the club’s contracted squad of […]<\/p>\n