From Top 50 to Top 25: Lilyana keeps climbing

A huge congratulations to Lilyana Condon, who has progressed from the Top 50 17&U netball players to the Top 25 in Victoria!

Over the past two weeks, the Top 50 athletes in each age group have taken part in the next stage of trials, with the group now narrowed down to squads of 25.

Lilyana has now been invited to take part in Netball Victoria’s Elevate high performance program, which provides athletes with targeted physical preparation and development ahead of the final stage of the state team selection process.

Following the Elevate program, the squads will be narrowed down once again, with teams of 12 selected to represent Victoria at the 2027 National Netball Championships. The Victorian state teams are set to be announced in December.

Reaching the Top 25 is an incredible achievement and another exciting step in Lilyana’s netball journey. We’re incredibly proud to see her continuing to progress through the selection process and representing St Mary’s along the way.

Senior Women complete perfect season!

A huge congratulations to our Senior Women’s Division 1 team, who have capped off an incredible season by being crowned 2026 NFNL Division 1 Premiers!

The Burras completed the perfect season on Sunday, defeating Montmorency by 12 points in the Grand Final at Preston City Oval.

The triumph marks the team’s third Senior Women’s premiership in four years, continuing an incredible period of success for our women’s football program.

It was also a remarkable season across the entire program, with our second Senior Women’s team reaching the Division 3 Grand Final on the same day. Having two St Mary’s teams competing for premierships was a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the strength, depth and growth of women’s football at our club.

Adding to the celebrations, co-captain Elyssa Rees was awarded the Grand Final Best on Ground medal.

Congratulations to all of our players, coaches, support staff, volunteers and everyone who has been part of this incredible 2026 season.

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.