Netball
11 April, 2026
HDFNL 2026 preview: Saints ready to go one better in 2026
After a narrow two-goal loss in the 2025 HDFNL A grade netball grand final, Edenhope Apsley are determined to pursue premiership success.
Despite the close result, Saints coach Lavinia Fox considers the 2025 season a success and is pleased with the team’s development.
“We had a very new team that came together, and my initial goal last year was to make finals, and I think we exceeded expectations by making the grand final,” she said.
“It’s tough when you go down by two goals in a grand final; it makes you think what you could have done differently, but Rupanyup were very deserving last year to take out that premiership.
“For us to get that close was a great reflection of how our team came together, and overall, we were really proud of how we performed all season.”
Lifting the Saints during 2025 was midseason recruit Dee Dee Lambert, who quickly proved to be one of the league’s most lethal shooters.
The return of Lambert, along with every member of the 2025 side, has Edenhope Apsley entering the 2026 season as one of the strong favourites.
“We’re the same outfit, with recruits like Dee Dee Lambert, Olivia Spence, Hayley Campbell coming back,” Fox said.
“So we're in a great position where we've got everyone re-signed who played last year.
“We've also got a new junior development player who'll be joining us, Alexandra Grant, who has been playing in our under-15 team and has put in some really good performances.”
Already two of the big improvers in last year’s team, Fox believes goalkeeper Danielle Grindlay and midcourter Jasmine McIntyre will continue to add to their game.
“Danielle was the league C grade best and fairest in 2024, started 2025 in our B grade team before being elevated to A grade after round six,” the coach said.
“She’s likely going to have a leadership role for us and really ride in that goalkeeper position, and with her size, it really worked in our favour last season.”
“Jasmine McIntyre has done a lot of hard work in the offseason, is looking good, and recently represented Wimmera Mallee at the netball state titles.
“They’re the two main girls to keep an eye on, and who will probably take the next step.”
Aware that a premiership is a challenging feat, Fox believes the side can get there if they play as a connected unit.
“Given we’ve retained our full side, our big goal is to win that premiership, but we know we've got to go against some really tough competition,” she said.
“Within that, we'll want to be building team connection and smaller goals to ensure all the girls are enjoying their netball.
“I'm a big believer that when you're having fun and enjoying your netball, you play your best, so I think if we can foster that culture within the side, then hopefully that'll then translate to some good performances across the year.”