Match Reviews | Players were officially welcomed into the new season by heading straight into the storm, with Round 1 played in severe conditions across the region.

Rain, hail and gale-force winds impacted netball leagues everywhere, and the Gippsland League was no exception as clubs battled difficult conditions to open the 2026 season.

For the most part, results picked up where they left off in 2025.

Moe opened its campaign in style, defeating Leongatha 61-44 at Leongatha Recreation Reserve.

As expected so early in the season, the reigning three-time premier fielded a different-looking side, with injuries and unavailability seeing the workload spread across grades. Despite that, the Lions still boasted plenty of quality, including player-coach Alex Moody, Jordan Pyle, Olivia Barnett, Maci Gardiner and shooting star Ash Mawer from last year’s premiership team.

First-year senior netballer Lexi Micallef, Imogen Smith and returning premiership player Emma McMillan also took the court.

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