St Mary’s stars named in Team of the Year

We’re proud to congratulate 12 representatives who have been recognised across the NFNL Division 1 and Division 3 Women’s Teams of the Year!

It is a fantastic achievement for the players, coaches and the club, and recognition of two outstanding seasons that will culminate with both teams competing in their respective Grand Finals this Sunday.

Division 1

St Mary’s was strongly represented in the NFNL Division 1 Team of the Year, with seven players selected, more than any other club.

The St Mary’s representatives are:

  • Emmison Zealley
  • Kiara Delia
  • Meg Girolami
  • Sarah Johnston
  • Jaydah Hope
  • Brigid McEntee
  • Georgia Kitchell

Adding to the recognition, Troy Bickerton was named Coach of the Division 1 Team of the Year, a fantastic acknowledgement of his leadership throughout the season.

Division 3

Four St Mary’s players were also recognised in the NFNL Division 3 Team of the Year:

  • Jasmine Stone
  • Natalie Cora
  • Ashley Leeson
  • Charly Bandera

The selections are an especially impressive achievement in the team’s first season together.

Across both divisions, St Mary’s is incredibly proud to see so many of our players and coaches recognised among the competition’s best.

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Kiara Delia cliams Coaches MVP

We’re pleased to congratulate Kiara Delia on winning the 2026 NFNL Division 1 Women’s Football Coaches MVP Award, capping off an outstanding debut season with the Burra.

Delia stormed home in the count, polling an incredible 33 of her 61 votes between Rounds 10 and 14 to claim the award by six votes.

The former North Melbourne VFLW player has made an immediate impact since joining St Mary’s this season. Delia was named among the Burra’s best players in 10 of her 11 home and away appearances, producing a remarkably consistent season.

It was also another outstanding result for Emmison Zealley, who finished third in the Coaches MVP after winning the award in 2025.

To have two St Mary’s players finish inside the top three is a fantastic achievement and recognition of their outstanding seasons.

17&U netball through to first Grand Final

A huge congratulations to our 17&U team, who booked their spot in the Grand Final with a fantastic win on Friday night!

It’s an incredible achievement from this group and a great reward for all the hard work they’ve put in throughout the season.

A huge thank you also to coach Mick Denton and team manager Louise Reid for the time, support and dedication they’ve given to the team all year.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and we can’t wait to cheer you on in the Grand Final on Friday 28 August!

Lilyana Condon makes top 50 netball squad

A huge congratulations to Lilyana Condon from our 17&U netball team on her selection in the Netball Victoria 17&U Top 50 Squad for 2027!

This is an incredible achievement and another exciting step in Lilyana’s netball journey. The Top 50 program is a key part of the national talent pathway, helping develop Victoria’s emerging athletes and paving the way towards future national and international representation.

Lilyana joined St Mary’s as part of our inaugural 15&U team and has continued to go from strength to strength. From representing the NFNL, to earning selection in the Central West Netball Victoria Talent Academy, and now being named among Victoria’s Top 50 17&U athletes, it has been fantastic to watch her continue to take every opportunity that comes her way.

Lilyana will now take part in the next stage of trials as she works towards selection in the Victorian team for the National Championships.

We are incredibly proud to see one of our junior players progressing through the Netball Victoria pathway and achieving at this level.

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Lilyana Condon

Senior Women’s teams Grand Final bound

A huge congratulations to both our Senior Women’s teams, who secured finals wins on Sunday and have now advanced straight through to their respective Grand Finals!

It’s an especially exciting achievement for our Senior Women’s Reserves, who have earned a place in the Grand Final in their very first season together. To reach this stage in the team’s inaugural season is an outstanding achievement and a credit to everyone involved.

A special thank you to the Bickerton family, who coach and manage our Division 1 side, and the Cotter family, who coach and manage our Division 3 Reserves side. The time, commitment and support both families give to our teams each week has played an enormous role in the success of our women’s football program.

Both teams will now enjoy a week off before taking to the field on Sunday 23 August for their Grand Finals.

Lock the date in and get behind our Senior Women as they look to finish two incredible seasons on the biggest stage.

Burra young guns named

The future is looking bright at St Mary’s, with some fantastic young talent continuing to come through the club.

A huge congratulations to our players named among the NFNL Young Guns of 2026, with the Herald Sun Leader recognising 114 of the best young players across all three NFNL divisions.

We’re incredibly proud to see Will Dean, Josh Carelli, Brodie Little, Tom Eames and Harry Butterworth recognised among the competition’s best young talent.

A fantastic achievement for the players and an exciting sign of what’s ahead for St Mary’s!

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Senior Women 2026 Minor Premiers again!

Congratulations to our Senior Women’s Division 1 team on finishing the 2026 home and away season as Minor Premiers!

The team completed an incredible undefeated season, not dropping a single game on their way to the top of the ladder. It is a testament to the hard work, commitment and determination shown by the players, coaches and support staff throughout the year.

A huge congratulations also to our volunteers and everyone who has contributed behind the scenes. This is a fantastic achievement for our club, and we look forward to cheering the team on as they head into finals.

Supporting Road Safety round 2026

A huge thank you to all our players, coaches, volunteers and supporters across our football and netball programs for getting behind this year’s TAC Road Safety Round.

Across the weekend, our teams wore blue armbands to honour the lives lost on our roads and to remind us all that every decision we make behind the wheel matters.

Your team would always rather you arrive late to training or the game than not arrive at all.

There is no excuse for speeding. Make the right choice. Slow down, drive safely and help make our roads safer for everyone.

Road Safety Round 2026

This week, St Mary’s is proud to take part in Road Safety Round, an annual initiative encouraging football and netball clubs across Victoria to Band Together and raise awareness of road safety.

Sporting clubs bring together people of all ages every week, meaning we are uniquely placed to help create stronger, safer communities.

Across this weekend, our football and netball players will wear blue armbands to show their support and remind our community that every decision behind the wheel matters.

Club President Mark Stanley said the club is proud to use its platform to promote an important message.

“Every week, our members spend countless hours travelling to training, games and club events. As a community club, we have the opportunity to influence positive behaviours both on and off the field. If Road Safety Round encourages even one person to make a safer choice behind the wheel, it’s a message worth sharing.”

Let’s all do our part. Together, we can make a difference—both on the field and on the road.

St Mary’s raise $1000 for Beyond Blue

Our Mental Health Match weekend was a fantastic display of what makes the St Mary’s community so special, with our players, volunteers, supporters and members coming together to raise awareness and funds for mental health.

Across the weekend, all of our senior football teams proudly wore blue armbands in support of Beyond Blue, helping spark important conversations and reminding everyone that mental health matters.

Sporting clubs play an important role in creating safe, supportive and connected communities. Whether it’s checking in on a teammate, starting a conversation or showing support for someone doing it tough, every action helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

We’re incredibly proud to announce that, thanks to the generosity of our community, we reached our fundraising goal of $1,000 for Beyond Blue.

The funds raised will help Beyond Blue continue providing vital mental health information, advice and support services to Australians experiencing anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, wore a blue armband, attended our mental health event, shared our fundraising campaign or supported the initiative in any way. Your contribution has helped make a genuine difference.