THEY say all good things come in threes.
Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes will certainly be hoping that adage is true after snaring gun centre courter Rachael Addison for their upcoming Riverina League premiership defence.
The 41-year-old is a New Kids Aces stalwart in the Wagga league, but has won premierships in the only two seasons she's played in the football leagues with The Rock-Yerong Creek in 2018, and Wagga Tigers in 2017.
"The two footy leagues I've played in, I've been lucky enough to win premierships in both years," Addison said.
"Watching the Riverina and Farrer finals last year made me realise I do miss playing in those competitions.
"I had talks with a couple of clubs but I'm really close with Marie (Hope, Goannas coach) and (assistant coach) Lisa Reynoldson, and having those friendships prompted me to give it a crack."
Addison will continue to play for the Aces and praised last year's decision to shift the Wagga league to midweek, giving players the option of playing in the football leagues on the weekend.
"It's been a great transition," she said.
"It's something that's been tough for netballers for many years, especially the younger netballers who want to be involved in the footy comps for the social side, but also want to play the Wagga comp."
The Goannas have assembled a team which should again be in premiership reckoning, but Addison said helping develop their younger players was just as big a factor in her decision.
"They've got (shooter) Sophie Fawns and (defender) Ash Reynoldson, and to me they're the most talented up-and-coming players in Wagga," Addison said.
"If I can play alongside them and hopefully pass on some of my experience, I'm really looking forward to that."
"Sophie will definitely go all the way, if that's what she wants. The best thing is she's so young and passionate but she's so coachable and gracious, I don't think she realises how good she is."
Hope said Addison will act as a valuable on court general as they look to hold off the chasing pack.
"Just bringing that experience and maturity adds to much to a young team, and we're still quite young," Hope said.
"She still certainly has a great skill set and will still run through a brick wall to get a ball. Some of those traits never die, even if your peak speeds drops off a bit.
"She has a habit of winning premierships, which I hope will be a good omen for us this year."
Fawns is currently training with the Sydney Swifts as part of their development program, but the young gun will still play for the Goannas.
"There might be some weeks we don't see her, but the Premier League games she'll play in Sydney are mid week so it won't affect our games on the weekend," Hope said.
