And the man who helped orchestrate the Wombats’ path to another shot at its second flag in three seasons is already locked in for 2026, with Nick Ryan reappointed for a second season in charge.
The Wombats finished 15-1 and second on the ladder, but ticked off another important goal.
“A lot of the thinking this year was about retention for the club, and we were able to do that,” Ryan said.
“It will be pretty similar heading into next year; we have a good young group, so if we’re able to retain them then we really set ourselves up long-term.”
Ryan said he had benefited from the experience of seasoned campaigners Adam Lovison and Tom Davies on and off the field, but he knows the 2023 premiers will need a full-blooded effort from the whole 22 against the Hoppers.
The Wombats inflicted the Hoppers’ only defeat of the season, in round 13 by 17 points.
“We played them about a month ago, but we’re aware that they had a different side,” Ryan said.
“There’s a few factors that go into it; we both have a little of the size, it looks like there’s a bit of rain forecast, and we know that sometimes Longwood doesn’t hold up as well in the rain.
“We would imagine it’ll be a pretty different game to the first time we played.”
Meanwhile, Violet Town is on the hunt for a new coach after Brad Gleeson was appointed Euroa’s new head honcho.
Gleeson, who signed for the Towners ahead of the 2025 season, succeeds Dave Gleeson in the role and returns to Memorial Reserve as a former player of the club.
The Towners have been proactive in their A-grade netball appointments, with Kolby Wild and Jayde Burden named 2026 co-coaches.
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