To Ball’s surprise, the Mansfield goal attack finished on top of the A-grade best-and-fairest leaderboard, claiming the prestigious Wellman Family Medal, the first Eagle to do so since 2013.
Ironically, it was also in 2013 that the Eagles last played GVL A-grade finals, Mansfield too breaking that drought this season.
“I didn’t expect it, not at all,” Ball said.
“I thought when I got invited in the top 10 that okay, maybe I’m up there, but no, definitely not (to win).”
Although she didn’t expect to take out the top gong, it’s unsurprising it all fell into place for Ball, whose consistency comes from repetition.
Ball plays midweek netball as well as the regular Tuesday and Thursday night trainings, as she admits her obsession with the sport.
“It helps playing midweek I guess,” she said.
“I’m always playing netball, I’m a bit of a netball nuffy, so that ‘never-stopping’ has probably helped me be consistent.”
The individual accolade capped a season of team success for Ball’s Eagles, one that has been anticipated to arrive for some time.
Ball completed her third year with Mansfield this season having joined in 2024, and has hence endured a portion of the Eagles’ strugglesome period down the lower half of the ladder.
Yet, a meteoric surge saw Mansfield finish fifth in 2026, which has Ball excited for the Eagles’ future.
“It’s been building each year over the last three years,” she said.
“We’ve continued to win more and more, and hopefully we can keep doing that.
“I’m really excited about what this group can do.”
