A reshuffle of the 2026 racing schedule has left an odd selection of entries in many events. Combined with many clubs electing to journey to New South Wales just a week ago for their championships, it’s a small but high-quality field set to line up in the women’s quad at Lake Wendouree on Friday afternoon.
Banks Rowing Club
A mix of lightweight and heavyweight athletes, the girls in pink will be drawing on a wealth of experience this weekend. The headline name is certainly Hannah Every-Hall, the 2002 world champion and 2012 Olympian brings serious leadership to the crew. Lightweight Ellie Brennan furthers the sculling experience on offer, having won two gold and two silvers at last year’s nationals. Joining her in two of those crews was Ant Di Cosmo, who had a lighter weekend up in New South Wales compared to some of her competitors. Matilda Chard is the youngest member of the crew, the Firbank alum racing in the U21 coxed four as well.
Banks / Carrum Composite
More than half the field in this three-boat race will be wearing pink, with three of this crew also hailing from Banks Rowing Club, and Molly Sawyer the sole representative of Carrum. This crew is made up entirely of U19 athletes, who all have stacked racing schedules throughout the weekend. While Ariel Van Der Poll will likely be buoyed by her recent experience of racing against the best pairs in the country in New South Wales last weekend, it may be hard for these girls to compete with the experience of the other two crews.
Mercantile Rowing Club
Similar to Banks, Mercantile brings a quad mixed with international experience and raw up-and-coming talent. Robyn Selby Smith is the most interesting name here. Robyn won three World Championships gold medals in 2005 and 2006, two in the four and one in the eight. The former club captain will no doubt be providing invaluable leadership lessons to the rest of her crew. Meg Cartwright and Ruby Gioulekas are both more commonly seen in the sweep boats, the former having rowed in Victoria’s youth eight in 2023, and the latter recently returning from Syracuse University. With the experience aboard this crew, expect them to navigate the occasionally tricky conditions of Lake Wendouree with ease.
Prediction
This will be an interesting contest between Banks and Mercantile for the win. Both crews have Olympians on board guiding some of Victoria’s best athletes. It could come down to conditions. At the time of writing, a tailwind is predicted – and I’m going to pick Banks to gain an advantage with their mighty lighties aboard.
