Comeback bronze the ‘cherry on top’ for nationals netballer

ONE of Geelong’s top netballers has earned another accolade in her pathway to the elite competition.

Mia Aitken secured a bronze medal alongside the Victorian under-19 team at the Netball Australia National Championships last week.

The teenager co-captained the side in a comeback performance after they lost their opening three games of the competition.

“We had a bit of a tough start to the week with three losses which was quite difficult,” Aitken said.

“After that we did really well to stay connected and stay together and keep the energy high, which I think led to our next four wins.”

Disappointed in her own performance in the early games, Aitken said she felt that she settled into the competition, pleased with her intercepts and defensive efforts later in the week.

She said the tournament was a good reminder of how important mental strength is in high-pressure environment.

“The semi-final loss to New South Wales was another rough one, but I think that just made us want to fight even harder for the bronze medal match,” she said.

“To come back in that last three minutes and getting the last five goals to win by one was super amazing. And a great way to end nationals.

“To finish on a win as well was special because obviously if you get silver, you’ve lost the grand final.

Winning by one goal, she said, was “the cherry on top”.

With her state team commitments now completed, Aitken can return focus to her other netball pathways.

Currently a mainstay in the Geelong Cougars under-23 side in the Victorian Netball League, she is chasing every high performance opportunity she can, including a chance to run alongside a Super Netball team.

In late 2025, she was selected as a training partner for the Melbourne Mavericks reserves squad.

She is excited to pursue the opportunity.

Geelong Cougars will play Hawks Netball in round 5 of the Victorian Netball League.

After four games, the Cougars sit top of the under-23 ladder and second in the championship division.