Saints net talented recruits

FIFTH in last season’s A Grade netball action, Heathcote has welcomed a couple of recruits for the upcoming Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.

Among the newcomers for the Saints are goaler Sophie Pica and mid-courter Hayley Hogan.

In the lead-up to another season where she is co-coach of A Grade, Brooke Bolton said Pica was keen to take to the netball court once again.

“Sophie has spent the past couple of years playing basketball,” Bolton said.

“She previously played A Grade netball with Strathfieldsaye Storm.”

Hogan makes her way to Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve after a previous stint with Bridgewater.

Knocked out of the premiership race in last year’s elimination final, Bolton and Kelsey Hayes again team up joint coaches of the Saints’ A Grade team.

Since that finals clash goaler Annalyse Carroll has joined the new-look Maryborough Giants in the Maryborough Castlemaine DFNL.

The Saints will also be without Maeve Hogan this season.

Not only has Heathcote been busy on the recruiting front, but also looking at players to make the move up to the top grade.

Among them is Jess Peck.

“Jess had an outstanding year in A Reserve,” Bolton said. “She played predominantly as goalkeeper and was third in the league fairest and best award.

“That was an incredible feat in a team which had just one victory.”

The Saints will also look to Telani Bibby and Nicole Foster as they make their way up from the under-17s.

“Telani can play in defence or mid-court,” Bolton said. “She was the under-17 league medallist in 2022 and runner-up last season.

“Nicole can play a variety of roles and has polled well in the club champion award the past two years.”

Also on the comeback to the sport is athletic defender Eve Beedle who did play at under-17s level with the Saints.