On the football field, the club soared to incredible heights, with both its seniors and reserves winning premiership on what was a historic grand final day.
On the netball court, the A-grade side continued its development into a top contender, and ended the season in fourth spot with a host of youngsters showing exciting signs.
So coming into the 2023 Ovens and King Football Netball League season, the All Blacks are as well placed as ever for another tilt at premiership glory.
And with a blockbuster round one clash against Whorouly coming up on their home deck this weekend, the entire All Blacks community is brimming with excitement for what the new campaign has in store.
For president Phil Spencer, who took over the top job over the off-season, he said he could not wait for action to get under way.
“It is very exciting to be at the point now where round one is coming up this weekend,” Spencer said.
“The senior footy side will have a few new faces which is great and we can’t wait to see how the boys go in defending the premiership.
“Everyone involved with the club just cannot wait for this weekend, there is a bit of an unknown about how we’ll stack up with the rest of the competition, but internally we are confident we have what it takes to be very competitive once again.”
On the football side of things, Benalla All Blacks find themselves in a different position this season.
After years of being the hunters striving for that ultimate glory, they enter the 2023 campaign as the hunted, with all other clubs desperate to knock them off their perch.
Spencer said this was a challenge the club was keen to embrace over the course of the year.
“We will have a red hot crack at it (defending our title), because we know everyone else will be coming at us very hard,” he said.
“Especially round two against Bonnie Doon at Bonnie Doon on Good Friday, I reckon that will be a cracker, I guarantee they’ll be out for a bit of redemption.
“It is going to be a very interesting season for us and we cannot wait to take on all the challengers that come our way.”
Over on the netball courts, the club will be looking to its future stars to take more of the reins in 2023.
With esteemed local netballers Alara Jones and Georgia Spencer co-coaches of the A-grade side, the president said he was excited to see where the netball program could get to both this season and beyond.
“It is a super exciting time for our netball program at the moment,” he said.
“Our junior numbers are very strong and I think with a few girls departing from the A-grade last season there will be great opportunity for a few under-17 girls to have a go at senior level.”
While there is great reason for optimism on the football field and netball court, off the field is where the club is really thriving.
From a social point of view, the All Blacks will kick off their season with a bang, as they unveil their premiership flags and host their first function of the year.
Sponsorship-wise, the club is also in a strong position, with Spencer explaining the hard work the committee had done to get a number of new partners on board.
“We are in such a good position off-field, I have picked up that many new sponsors this year it is unbelievable,” he said.
“Even if we aren’t successful on the field and court, I know we will be a successful club this year due to the hard work we have put in off the field.”
7°C