The rapid rise of a Maverick defender Jessie Grenvold with a Baby Bomber for a dad, Essendon premiership 1993, David Grenvold
Updated ,first published
It’s the dad question Melbourne Mavericks netballer Jessie Grenvold knows is coming her way.
Despite years of following her netball career, her father David, a 1993 Essendon AFL premiership player, still can’t resist referring to Jessie’s defensive roles in footy parlance.
“Where did you play this weekend Jess? Were you full-back or half-back?” Jessie says, breaking into laughter.
“To him, it is not so much goalkeeper or goal defence – it’s full-back and half-back. It is such a Dad thing.”
In David’s defence, Jessie has worn both the GK and GD bibs while making a stunning rise in Super Netball, where she started the season as an unknown but was last week named in the Australian Diamonds squad for 2026-2027.
Jessie is a casual Bombers fan, at best, but her dad has been a constant sounding board throughout her career.
“I rang him and told him that I’d made the Diamonds squad, and he was very proud, [and] very, very excited,” Grenvold said.
“Straight away, his next advice was, ‘OK, but let’s not get too distracted from beating the West Coast Fever this weekend.’
“He comes from a very ex-athlete place, and I think it’s really good for me and keeps me grounded.”
Keeping grounded has never really been an issue for the 23-year-old, who made the brave call in 2024 to leave the comforts of Adelaide and begin life in Melbourne. Part of the move was to follow former Adelaide assistant coach Tracey Neville (who was taking over at the Mavericks), but the other was to throw herself into an uncomfortable situation.
“I was thinking about what I wanted my life to look like, and I’ve always been somebody who thrives by stepping outside my comfort zone,” she said.
“I think the best part about my move is that I really set my life up here. I played state league netball, I got a retail job in a shoe store – I did all the things that really set roots here in Melbourne, and that’s why I feel very lucky that my netball has progressed in the right direction, but I also feel like Melbourne’s my home.”
Grenvold is not an overnight success, having ground through a training partner role in 2024. She then made the roster the hard way, after her good friend and former housemate Olivia Lewis left her starting defensive role to chase her AFLW dreams.
But don’t expect Grenvold to follow her into footy. Her place is on the court, given she says she’s “hopeless” with the Sherrin.
Yet Lewis’ departure opened minutes for Grenvold, who was still vying with teammate Tara Hinchcliffe for a starting role when Hinchcliffe suffered an ACL injury in round three.
Suddenly, the Mavs had to turn to Grenvold, who, at 185 centimetres, isn’t as tall as most defenders, but makes up for it with her agility and determination.
She has fearlessly taken on the big defensive assignments, while also fitting into the Mavs’ team defensive structure and sitting second in Super Netball with 29 intercepts from 12 games.
“It was all very sudden and there are parts that are daunting because it is something I’ve never done before, but I’ve felt well-supported by the Mavs’ team, and the coaching staff,” Grenvold said.
“They’ve invested in me and trusted me, [and] basically told me to go out and have fun and that is when I play my best netball.”
Grenvold’s form has become the talk of the competition, according to Mavs defensive coach Nicole Richardson, who still thinks Grenvold has plenty more development to come in her game.
“She’s just taken it within her stride,” Richardson said.
“She’s probably the most talked-about player in the league this year in my opinion, probably her and Grace Whyte [from NSW Swifts] are the two most talked-about players.
“But that hasn’t changed who she is, and she’s someone that has a real growth mindset.
“She’s like a sponge … she just wants to keep learning and keep getting better.”
The Mavs take on the Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena on Sunday, and they are desperate to make up for a one-point loss in overtime of their most recent clash.
“I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to win a game of netball so much in my life,” Grenvold said of the first match.
“It’s extra devastating when you don’t, but I think it definitely fuels the fire for this weekend.”
Having grown up in South Australia, where her dad played for Glenelg in the SANFL, Grenvold was aware of his success. But since moving to Melbourne she has developed more appreciation for what he achieved with Kevin Sheedy’s Bombers.
She’s also been surprised at the frequency people recognise her last name.
“It happens quite a bit here in Melbourne, which is always funny because Dad used to tell us how good he was, and we never really believed him,” Grenvold said cheekily.
“But the more I get into this elite-athlete world, the more I can appreciate how much he helps and how much of a sounding board he is for me.”
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Roy Ward is a sports writer, live blogger and breaking news journalist. He’s been writing for The Age since 2010.Connect via X or email.
