One more time round for sake of the Cougars

RECENTLY crowned Geelong Cougars best-and-fairest winner Jess Standfield isn’t sure if 2017 will be her last season in the VNL but predicts the lure of a premiership will see her take the court again next year. Standfield capped a remarkable return to elite netball after 10 years to win the Susan Meaney medal, holding out attacking weapon Kate Thompson and midcourt gun Kaitlyn Sheringham.

The goal defender held the Geelong defence together with Brooke Allan for much of the year and helped guide the Cougars to their first ever finals series in the championship division.

But while the individual accolades have been a reward for her hard work on and off the court, the team success Geelong missed out on this year could see Standfield back for one last crack at a flag in 2018.

“It was nice to get the per- sonal accolade but I think what we really wanted was the opportunity to be in the grand final so it was a bit bittersweet,” Standfield said.

“It was reassuring that I can still play at this level and perform because at the start of the season I was having a little bit of doubt.

“I think I was a little bit naive at the start and wasn’t really aware of the history of the club and I think having that and knowing how hard it has been, we have got a great bunch of girls and the majority will be back next season, so it is looking promising.

“You definitely sit there and wonder, especially as my days are numbered.

“I can only get around so many times so I might have to go around one more time to see what we can achieve together as a group.”

Allie Smith won the division one best-and-fairest ahead of Bianca Cheever and Georgia Finn, while Jaimee van Leerdam and Ellen Doyle tied in the under-19s award.