After relinquishing the Netball NSW Central West Regional League title for the first time in more than two decades this year, Orange Netball Association (ONA) has named a bumper squad for its redemption bid in 2018.
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The 10-strong group was named after this year’s thrilling Toyota Cup season and then a set of trials as well, and boasts an excellent mix of youth and experience which could be the catalyst for a return to the top of the pecking order.
While many of the usual suspects headline the squad – think the likes of Orange City’s Tegan Dray and Erin Johnstone and Life Studio’s Em Brisbane – one young gun received a just reward after a sterling 2017 season.
Hawks Royal player-coach Amanda Hurford sung Tash Rudd’s praises all year – so did opposition coaches – and she was superb in the Toyota Cup grand final as well, earning a Thunder gig on the back of that.
“I’m pretty stoked,” Rudd said.
“I wouldn’t say it was really a goal during the season, but I guess it’s always been a bit of a goal to get the chance to play in the number one side it just hasn’t happened before this.
“Honestly I felt like I couldn’t have really done much more during the season, so it’s great to get the chance and I’m looking forward to it.”
Although the class of the Orange side remains undeniable, Rudd said the Thunder will enter the Regional League as underdogs after Bathurst’s breakthrough trophy win.
It’s an unfamiliar feeling for the association as a whole, she explained, but an exciting prospect too.
“We are underdogs now and it’s exciting to be a part of what, I guess, is a bit of a rebuild,” Rudd said.
“But in saying that there’s still a lot of really experienced players in the side, who will be really great to play with as well.”
Rudd’s expected to slot into Orange’s mid-court alongside the likes of Dray and although the duo is more accustomed to playing against each other – they faced off in several epic battles in 2017 – she’s confident they’ll gel immediately.
“Tegan’s actually the one I’m probably most excited to play with,” Rudd said.
“She coached me a lot through my years with High A so we know each other pretty well and I think we’ll work together well. I am assuming I’ll fit into the mid-court somewhere, I’d expect to probably play more of the wing attack role than centre.”
Danielle Turner, Emily Neal, Lucy Brisbane, Abby Tilburg, Caitlyn Harvey and Erin Turner round out the squad.
Selectors also named the under 17s Samsung State Championship side.
An uber-talented group headlined by Lucy Nagle, Siara Jawaii and Sophie Brisbane, it will also double as Orange’s division two Regional League squad – dubbed the Lightning.
Kate Mastronardi, Farrah Staniforth and Emily Williams also earned a gig, as did Milika and Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Alex Emerson, Mille Lenehan, Ally Kaufman and Rhiannon Dennis round out the 12-strong unit.
Coaches for the two sides are yet to be confirmed.
- THUNDER: Erin Johnstone, Danielle Turner, Emily Neal, Tegan Dray, Tash Rudd, Emily Brisbane, Lucy Brisbane, Abby Tilburg, Caitlyn Harvey, Erin Turner
- UNDER 17s/LIGHTNING: Kate Mastronardi, Lucy Nagle, Farrah Staniforth, Sophie Brisbane, Siara Jawaii, Emily Williams, Milika Tuinakauvandra, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Alex Emerson, Millie Lenehan, Ally Kaufman, Rhiannon Dennis
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
