MSA represented in Netball State Team

Two Maribyrnong Sports Academy students have been selected in the starting squad for the Victorian U17 Netball team which will play at the National Championships in Tasmania in July.

Year 12 student athlete Kiralee Collings and Year 11 student athlete Akira Mccormack were selected in the Under 17 State Team while Montaya Sardi was selected in the Under 17 Development squad

Former Australian Netball player and MSA Netball Coach Eloise Southby believes these girls should be very proud of what they achieved. “ I have spoken to the three girls and they are extremely excited about their selection in the Victorian U17 squads. Maribyrnong Sports Academy should also be very proud that it has produced 3 players for the Victorian team ( 2 in the squad and 1 emergency), This is a very rare occurrence to have so many players from the one school in a State netball team and everyone involved in the program should be congratulated.”

MSA Sports Director Mark McAllion says it’s great to see their hard work at the academy pay off. “All our academy student/athletes do an extra two to three sessions a week more than the normal club athlete due to their commitment to our High Performance Coaching sessions.  Our Athletes are aware that by putting in the extra work either before or after school in their respective HPC sessions the rewards will come, and these selections are a perfect example of that.”

Victoria hasn’t won the championships since 2014, South Australia though have dominated, winning four of the past five championships.

MSA supplies 4 of the best for 2021

The ALFPA has announced it best 22 under 22 in the AFLW, and Maribyrnong Sports Academy has provided 4 past students into the team

2nd year AFLW player, St Kilda’s Georgia Patrikios and Richmond Best and Fairest winner Monique Conti were named in the midfield at Centre and on the Wing.  Monique has won consecutive Best and Fairest at Richmond adding to the Best and fairest she also won back at the Bulldogs 4 years ago.  Monique was also named in the 2021 AFLW team of the year on the wing, while finishing just 3 votes off the winners in the 2021 AFLW best and Fairest award.

Georgia was also named as an All Australian in the AFLW Team of the year for 2021 on a wing adding to the numerous awards she won in 2020 including selection in the All Australian Squad, a Rising Star Nomination, The AFLPA best first year player and St Kilda’s Best and Fairest.  This is Georgia’s second selection in the Best 22 under 22 Team.

First year AFLW players Ellie McKenzie and Jess Fitzgerald have also been selected in the team with Ellie given an on ball position while Jess was named in the interchange bench.

After being selected by Richmond with pick Number 1 in last years AFLW draft, Ellie had an outstanding year finishing equal second in the Tigers Best and Fairest award this year behind winner and fellow alumni Monique Conti.  Ellie averaged over 15 disposals a game and 3 marks, kicking 4 goals 4 for the season.

Jess was taken with pick number 2 in the AFLW draft by the Bulldogs and played in 8 of the 9 games for season 2021.  Scoring 5 goals 6 for the year, Jess averaged 10 disposals per game and had an average of 4 tackles.

Maribyrnong Sports Academy is extremely proud to have these exciting women footballers as past students of the College and look forward to adding to the 7 current players in the AFLW from our school with more exciting players in this years draft.

MSA AFLW Alumni shine in End of Season Awards

Two former Maribyrnong Sports Academy AFL students have finished on the podium in their club’s Best and Fairest for season 2021.

Monique Conti won her second Best and Fairest award at Richmond after a stella season in the midfield for the Tigers.  Conti averaged over 22 disposals per game this year and received maximum votes from the coaching panel in four of her eight games.

This is Monique’s third best and fairest in four years of AFLW having also won a B and F and Premiership at the Bulldogs in her first season at the top level back in 2018.

First year sensation Ellie McKenzie finished second in the vote count on 15 votes, 1 vote behind Monique and equal with Richmond Captain Katie Brennan.  Ellie was also voted best first year player at the club backing up her AFL Players award for best first year player in the league earlier in the week.