Footy Netball Season 2026 starts April 11 .. How is are the local club shaping up

Premiers Eye Another Finals Charge

FRESH off a premiership triumph in 2025, Woodside enters the new season with a new voice at the helm — and a clear determination to stay among the competition’s elite.

First-year senior coach Hudson Holmes steps into the role with an appreciation of both the opportunity and the expectations that come with leading a reigning premier. But rather than being weighed down by pressure, Holmes is embracing it.

“Pressure is a privilege — and that’s what we want,” he said. “We were the hunters, now we’re the hunted.”

While threepeat success is the ultimate goal, Holmes is equally focused on the bigger picture — ensuring his group continues to grow while enjoying their football.

“Hopefully we’re playing finals again,” he said. “But more importantly, we’ve got a few young players ready to go to the next level, and it’s about helping them get there.”

That focus on development has been a hallmark of a strong pre-season, with Holmes placing significant emphasis on nurturing the club’s emerging talent.

“Pre-season has been great. We’ve put a lot of time into our third’s boys and younger kids,” he said.

Despite taking over the top job, Holmes isn’t looking to overhaul a premiership-winning formula.

“There are no major changes to the game plan. I’ve coming in a little bit blind, but the support around the group has been amazing, so I’ll just address things as they come.”

The hunger from Woodside’s younger brigade has been one of the most encouraging signs over summer, with several pushing their case for senior opportunities.

“The young kids have really been putting in the work,” Holmes said.

Just as important as performance is the culture that underpins the clubs success — something Holmes is determined to preserve.

“Culture is as good as I’ve been around. Everyone chips in, there’s no egos — it’s all about helping one another,” he said. “I’m just trying to be a sponge and keep feeding off everyone.”

That connection extends beyond the field, shaping how Holmes approaches the challenges of a long season.

“Everyone looks out for each other. Life’s hard enough as it is, so it’s about listening to the players and letting them enjoy life as well as footy.”

The off-season has brought some list changes, with Cooper Ryan, Liam Leeson and Brody Stainer departing the club. However, Woodside has added two new faces Holmes believes will make an impact.

Riley Denovan is expected to provide a strong option up forward while continuing to develop, while Will Leslie will slot into defense and add stability to the backline.

Looking ahead, Holmes believes maintaining happiness and connection within the group will be key to sustained success.

“The biggest challenge is making sure people are happy and smiling,” he said. “If we get that right, everything else takes care of itself.”

For Holmes, a successful season isn’t defined solely by silverware — but by the experience of the group as a whole.

“Of course, you want to be playing and winning finals,” he said. “But I just want everyone to enjoy their time at Woodside. If we can do that and play good footy, we’ll give ourselves every chance.”

Wildcats Women build strong foundations Ahead of Historic Debut Season

THE Woodside Wildcats’ inaugural senior women’s football side is gaining strong momentum under the leadership of newly appointed coach Amanda Hancock.

Since taking on the role late last  year, Hancock has overseen an impressive recruitment drive, with close to 30 players joining the club’s first-ever women’s squad. The response has translated onto the training track, with consistently strong numbers attending weekly sessions.

The team is currently training every Wednesday night, with additional opportunities available for players keen to further develop their skills.

“We are also doing one-on-one and small group sessions for those who want to do extra work,” Hancock said.

Excitement is building as the countdown to the season begins, with a draft fixture recently released and a tentative start date set for April 19. At this stage, the Wildcats are expected to open their campaign on home soil, although final confirmation is still pending.

“The season looks set to start 19/4 and a draft fixture has just been released. At this stage our first home game will be the 19/4, however we await the final fixture to be released,” she said.

Beyond preparation on the field, Hancock said the group was already forming strong connections, laying the groundwork for a significant milestone in the club’s history.

“The coaches and players are working hard and bonding strongly and we are all excited to make history and play the first women’s senior game this season for the Woodside Football Netball Club.”

With numbers growing and enthusiasm high, the Wildcats are poised to make a memorable entrance into the women’s competition.

Wildcats netball ready to roar

 WOODSIDE Football Netball Club Netball have able to maintain their full complement of teams heading into the 2026 season.

The club will field ten teams across two competitions - NGFNL and Sale Association.

The club has retained the services of A Grade coach Caitlan Johnson and welcomed the return to the coaching pool of Sammie Sykes (C Grade) and Demi Godenzi (17/u).

Taylah Buckley is returning to the court this season along with new players Tavia Field and Mia Cheffers.

“Everyone has been working hard in the preseason across all grades.  Everyone commitment to training each week is probably the biggest highlight,” Johnson said.

Caitlin top five for season 2026 is Churchill, Woodside, Heyfield, Sale City and TTU with YYN the big improvers.

On the umpiring front, Woodside is fortunate to have a great pool of umpires growing with their club at senior level along with juniors Jessica Rabbit and Sienna Barclay planning take up the whistle and have a go at umpiring in the Sale Association. 

Yarram football netball

Finals the Focus for Yarram Football Netball Club

YARRAM senior coach Brett Mitchell has his focus firmly on return to finals football for Yarram as the club builds momentum heading into the new season.

With a clear objective of playing finals, the Demons are approaching the year with a renewed focus and a commitment to improvement, despite a pre-season that has presented its challenges.

While training numbers have been lower than hoped, a committed core group of senior players has set the standard, turning up fit and ready to lead from the front.

“There’s a really solid base there,” Mitchell said. “The senior group have put in the work, and that’s given us something to build on.”

A key area of improvement identified from last season is ball movement, with the side looking to play a quicker, more dynamic brand of football. Defensive transition, particularly from the forward half, has also been a major focus throughout the pre-season.

Encouragingly, it’s not just the experienced players driving standards. A number of under-18s have made significant strides, pushing their case for senior selection and adding depth to the list.

Young talents Sam Clark, Angus Brunton and Lachie Ellis are among those expected to get opportunities at senior level, highlighting a promising blend of youth and experience.

The club has also been boosted by the return of several familiar faces. Premiership players Tyler Chisholm and Jake McFarlane are back in the fold, while Ben Vardy is expected to be available for the full season. Toby Mitchell, recruited from Warburton, adds further strength, with more signings potentially on the horizon.

Despite some off-season departures, the coach is confident the list has been replenished, particularly with emerging players in the 18–22 age bracket showing strong development.

Culturally, Yarram continues to lean on its proud history of success, with a focus on positivity and connection around the club.

“There’s a strong culture here already. It’s about reinforcing that and making sure players enjoy being part of the environment,” he said.

That mindset extends to how the group handles the inevitable ups and downs of a long season.

“You can’t get too caught up in results. It’s about staying present, focusing on the process, and enjoying your footy.”

Reflecting on last season, the coach acknowledged the high standard of the competition and the importance of preparation.

“Understanding opposition sides, their key players and game style — that’s something I’ve taken a lot from and will be better with this year.”

Looking ahead, maintaining depth looms as a potential challenge, particularly if injuries strike as they did last season.

Across the competition, Mitchell feels that Woodside looms as the benchmark once again.

“Heyfield’s depth and Cowwarr’s strong recruiting suggest they will also be major contenders,” he said.

For Yarram, however, the focus remains inward.

If the group can stay healthy, continue its development, and execute its game plan, a return to finals football could well be within reach.

New Faces and fresh focus for Yarram Netball

YARRAM Football Netball Clubs, Netball division is embracing a season of rebuilding and renewed connection as it heads into the 2026 campaign, according to long-time player Deb Nickell-Davies.

Nickell-Davies, who first pulled on the Yarram dress as a junior between 2006 and 2008, said the club was excited by an influx of new players and families, along with the return of some familiar faces.

“We’re really pleased to be welcoming Rachel and Lilly into our senior side,” she said. “We’ve also had a number of families come from over the line, including the Nancarrows, Sumners, Matthews and Napolis, as well as new locals Jaz, Mariah and Lilly.”

The club has also been boosted by the return of experienced players Meesha, Kansas and Laura, adding valuable depth across the grades.

While there is plenty of optimism, the club has also had to navigate some challenges, with several players unavailable due to family commitments.

“We’ve had a few out this season due to pregnancy, so we congratulate Jess, Alex and Taz — we can’t wait to meet the future little Dees,” Nickell-Davies said.

In addition, Hanna, Jem and Maddy will step back into semi-retirement, although the club remains hopeful they will still make occasional appearances throughout the season.

Hanna will continue to play a key role off the court, leading the next generation through the Yarram Demon Minis program, which begins in Term 2. The Thursday afternoon sessions will cater for children aged 5 to 11, helping to strengthen the club’s junior pathways.

Despite strong efforts, Yarram has again been unable to field an A Grade side in 2026. However, the focus remains firmly on development and long-term growth.

“Our main goal is to build strong, long-term connections with both our new and existing players and to reconnect with the wider community,” Nickell-Davies said.

On the court, the club is aiming for a top-six finish in B Grade, while the emphasis across C, D, 17-and-under and 15-and-under teams will be on improving centre pass conversions, reducing unforced errors and, most importantly, enjoying their netball.

There is also excitement around the introduction of an under-13 side into the SNA competition, marking an important step in rebuilding the club’s junior ranks. The team has already shown promise, recording an impressive practice match win over Toora last weekend.

Yarram is still seeking players for the under-13 squad, with children born between 2013 and 2016 encouraged to get involved.

Looking ahead, Nickell-Davies believes the groundwork being laid this season will set the club up for a stronger future.

“We’re hopeful we can come back bigger and stronger in 2027,” she said.

Across the competition, she expects the usual contenders to be strong again, with Sale, Churchill, Woodside, Gormandale and Rosedale all recruiting well, while Cowwarr could emerge as a surprise packet.

For Yarram, 2026 may be a year of building — but the foundations being laid suggest brighter seasons are on the horizon.