After 15 years as a mainstay in Mooroopna’s A-grade side Maddison Wong has achieved just about all there is to achieve in what’s been a glittering career.
Multiple club best-and-fairest awards, a runner-up gong in the Goulburn Valley League Wellman Family Medal, interleague appearances and even state selection as a teenager.
But there is still one thing that has escaped the star defender’s trophy cabinet.
A premiership medal.
The Mooroopna captain, ahead of her 200th A-grade milestone match, is hopeful that 2023 is the season that can deliver her that long-sought-after accolade.
“That is still something I haven’t been able to grab. Hopefully this year is the year,” Wong, 29, said.
“I have been very lucky to have those (individual honours), but for me personally, those little moments and unexpected wins against top sides are what I cherish most. I take more pride in being a part of those moments and helping my team achieve success than anything else.”
With an understanding of Wong’s satisfaction for achieving team success, it’s no wonder why she rates a significant 2018 club milestone as her most memorable career moment.
Mooroopna’s top-flight netball outfit, following years of despair, ended its finals drought in 2018.
“The first time I played finals was a really special moment. It was a bit of a finals drought for the club, we’d been down the bottom for so long,” Wong said.
“Then there’s the times where we hadn’t beaten sides for a very long time and we were on the way up and managed to beat them for the first time in my career. Those are little moments that I’m really proud of.
“There’s been some really special (moments), but probably just playing with teammates that have become my best friends are what I look back on fondly.”
Since that historic season, the Cats have featured in each iteration of A-grade finals.
Wong has been at the forefront of Mooroopna’s evolution into a GVL heavyweight.
The Cats have finished top-three in the past two seasons and came one game short of playing off in last year’s grand final.
The Di Hanslow-coached outfit is currently in prime position for another assault on this year’s silverware and Wong believes it has what it takes to go a step better.
“We were devastated with how last year finished,” Wong said on reflection.
“But we saw it as a real character-building moment for us and hopefully we can build on that come finals.”
The gifted and athletic goal keeper’s association with the Cats stems back way before she first placed a bib on for the 17-and-under team.
Her father Billy is a GVL Hall of Famer following an illustrious career with Mooroopna.
Wong said it was a “natural progression” for her to take to the court and don the navy blue and white colours, despite first showcasing her sublime talents in the Shepparton Netball Association.
The club stalwart revealed she hadn’t focused on arriving at 200 A-grade games and achieving life membership with the league.
“I spent a lot of my years growing up around the club, my family’s had a long history with Mooroopna,” Wong said.
“There wasn’t an under-15s back when I started ... I began over in the SNA for Notre before I shifted to Mooroopna where I played 17s when I was 14. I played a few years in 17s and then made the move into A-grade.
“I haven’t really thought too much about it (200 GVL A-grade games). I’m not sure about reflecting on my career, I’ve always been big on reflecting on the last game you’ve played and figuring out what you can improve on and get better at.”
For the past decade Wong has been not only a standout player, but a valuable asset on the court for the Cats.
From curtailing the influence of opposition shooters, to her class rebounding and pristine passing ― she’s been inspiring for teammates and foes.
Perhaps Wong’s greatest achievement has been her long-standing role as captain of the A-grade outfit.
The fierce leader is nearing on extraordinary 10 years in the position.
“I’m grateful and honoured to have been captain for as long as I have,” she said.
“It’s a great group of girls that I get to lead and be a role model for ... I don’t take the position I’m in lightly. But the thing is, everyone has the capability to be a leader, I don’t see myself any different to anyone else in the side. I just try to lead in my actions.”
Mooroopna will square-off against Kyabram at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve from 2.15pm.