Four Geelong juniors earn Victorian netball trial nod ahead of exhibition clash

FOUR Geelong junior netballers invited to trial for Victoria will be among the region’s best young players on show before the Geelong Cougars’ first home game this weekend.

Ruby Cook (Bell Park), Emilia Evans (Portarlington), Remy Sliwa (Torquay) and Tamika Wall (Portarlington) have been selected to attend the 2027 Victorian under-17 trials.

On Sunday, the four players will join representative teams from across the region in the Barwon under-17 regional showcase at Geelong Arena, a curtain-raiser before the Geelong Cougars’ first home game of the season.

Tamika Wall has been offered a spot at state team trials. Photo: AFL Barwon.

Bellarine coach Karen Pole said playing alongside a Victorian Netball League (VNL) fixture is an exciting opportunity for the players.

She said several athletes who have come through junior representative pathways have gone on to play with the Cougars and other VNL clubs.

“All the girls love netball and most of them want to take it to the next level,” Pole said.

“Being part of something like this can be a really special moment for them to enjoy.”

Emilia Evans is one of two Portarlington players to get a state team trial invite. Photo: AFL Barwon.

Pole said the event also highlights the strength of Geelong’s netball pathways.

She encouraged local sporting fans to go to the arena to support the next generation of elite talent.

The under-17 Barwon junior regional teams curtain-raiser will be played at 10.30am at Geelong Arena on 12 July.

Teams

Ruby Cook will represent Geelong Football Netball League at the 2027 Victorian state team trials. Photo: AFL Barwon.

Geelong FNL: Indi Madden, Bella Gill, Emily Brislane, Amelie Ruyg, Ruby Edwards, Lottie Grimsey, Ali Tournier, Ruby Cook, Isabella Scukovic, Layne Harvey. Coach: Billy Mahoney. Team Manager: Belinda Harvey.

Bellarine FNL: Scarlett Clarke, Isabella Hall, Charli Burke, Coco Hayes, Tamika Wall, Mackinley Bragge, Millie Evans, Heidi Connor, Remy Sliwa. Coach: Karen Pole. Team Manager: Kris Wall.

Colac and District FNL: Ashlin Tate, Emmy Frith, Isla Casey, Izzy Perkins, Jessica Dellar, Luella Hutchinson, Molly Fish, Sophie Bell. Coach: Sandra Robinson. Team Manager: Narelle Frith.

Geelong Central Netball Association: Alice Beasley, Georgia De Graaff, Gracie Eldredge, Heidi Creece, Juliet Cohen, Lily Drayton, Lucia Bugeja, Lyla Irvine, Milla Eldredge, Neve Omant, Lacey Penning. Coach: Emily Hammond. Manager: Jordan Chisholm