The 2026 season may not have ended the way the Frankston Blues Women had hoped, but it was a year defined by resilience, development and a group that never stopped competing.
The Blues made an encouraging start to the campaign, winning four of their opening six games and showing plenty of promise. The dynamic backcourt pairing of Pahlyss Hokianga and Emily Monaghan provided speed and creativity, while Sophie Alexander and Sianni Martin made valuable contributions off the bench. In the frontcourt, captain Lou Brown once again led from the front, averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
The positive start carried into the middle stages of the season. Although results didn’t always fall Frankston’s way, the team consistently showed they could match it with the competition, with several games decided by narrow margins after costly lapses across individual quarters. Head Coach Jo Wood said one of the season’s biggest challenges was helping the group maintain belief despite those close losses.
“The number of games that we were in and lost by a small margin no doubt dented the confidence of the group. Trying to instil belief in the players that they could win a close one was challenging.”
A couple more curveballs were thrown at the team, with Pahlyss Hokianga departed midway through the year to begin her collegiate career in the United States, while Sianni Martin also exited the program. Their departures left the Blues thinner in the backcourt, with players beginning to learn and play new roles on the fly.
Emily Monaghan (12.2 points and 2.5 assists) enjoyed an outstanding season, establishing herself as one of the team’s key contributors, while Sophie Alexander took significant strides during her first full campaign with the senior program before earning her own opportunity to continue her basketball journey in the United States.
“Emily Monaghan had a great start to the season, improving across all areas and becoming a key contributor for the team,” Wood said.
“Our pocket rocket, Sophie Alexander really stepped up in her first full year in the senior program and gained valuable experience as she heads off to college,” Wood said.
The arrival of two-way star Megan Mullings in May provided another spark, with the athletic forward averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2.6 steals across her time in a Blues uniform. Unfortunately, injuries also played their part throughout the second half of the season. Lou Brown missed a week with a broken nose, limiting the opportunity for Brown and Mullings to build chemistry together in the frontcourt.
Despite the adversity, coach Wood said she was most proud of…
“Without a doubt, the way the team stayed connected and played hard for each other till the very end of the season. At no stage did they allow their ladder position to determine how they showed up for training, games and each other.”
While the Blues ultimately finished with five wins, the season laid important foundations for the future, with younger players taking on bigger responsibilities and valuable experience gained across the roster.
The women couldn’t quite go out with a bang, falling short of Mt Gambier in their final game of the season. However, plenty of positives shone through with five players tallying double-digit points. Following the game, Wood provided some valuable perspective upon reflection of the season.
“While right now the losses and our ladder position sit heavy with us, in years to come it’s not where we finished but the fond memories with the people we played with that we will remember the most. Lots of laughs and good times and an incredible group of young women making their mark on the world, not just on the basketball court.”
Wood believes those experiences will benefit the group well beyond this season.
“You can still find the wins and enjoyment from the game, even if you don’t win on the scoreboard. This group is tough. Their ability to stick together when faced with adversity is something very rare and special and will hold them in good stead in the future.”
Finally, Wood thanked the Frankston fans for their support throughout the season.
“Thank you so much to all the Blues community that kept showing up and supporting the team through the cold winter’s nights and the losses. We really appreciated your effort in bringing the noise and vibe to our ‘home away from home’.”
While the results may not have reflected the effort, the 2026 season showcased a connected group that continued to grow through adversity. With several emerging players taking significant steps forward.
The team’s growth was also reflected in its end-of-season awards, with Lou Brown recognised as the club’s Most Valuable Player after another dominant campaign. Jacqui Trotto was rewarded for her relentless defensive efforts week after week, claiming the Defensive Player of the year Award. While Emily Monaghan’s breakout season was acknowledged with the Most Improved Player Award after establishing herself as a key contributor throughout the year.
We are very proud of the team and we are very keen to see them again when we have our new and improved stadium ready to go for the 2027 season!