COURT REPORT
Coach patient in plotting Lara’s change of fortune
THE win column may be empty at Lara after five games but coach Jo Chambers knows the tide will turn for her team soon enough.
The confidence Chambers possesses comes after performances in the lower grades from the Cats, including their B-grade side that sits atop the ladder, undefeated and showing no signs of slowing.
It also shines through having seen the competitive nature of her side for large passages of play, and, while securing a win would be reward for effort, she says little by little Lara is closer to being the team she knows it can be
“We’ve been competitive but our B-grade side is 5-0, so that is probably the story of us this year,” Chambers said.
“Our depth is fantastic and the girls are all vying for spots in Agrade, so the group is really competitive, but respectful of who gets the time on court.
“It is tricky when the B-grade side is winning and A-grade hasn’t won yet but it’s just a reflection of the depth we’ve built, so hopefully the A-grade girls can get some wins on the board to reassure them they’re heading in the right direction.
“Results will come and they can see little improvements, and they are much more competitive against teams on court, but we have had a couple of slow starts, so we’re focusing on that.”
On Saturday Lara will start as short-priced favourite against bottom-placed North Shore, which is averaging 13 goals a game.
Chambers acknowledged the interleague bye had come at an ideal time for the Cats and said, while it would be inappropriate to go in taking a victory for granted, facing the Seagulls would give her the opportunity to mix things up.
“We had quite a solid training session last week knowing we didn’t have any netball on the Saturday,” she said.
“We’re certainly not going into the round being complacent about our netball, but it will be an opportunity for me to look at some combinations in goal and in defence and the midcourt that I probably haven’t looked at coming into other games.
“So it does give me a bit of flexibility in terms of A-grade and being able to give some of the girls who have been pushing for an opportunity to have some court time.”
Lara hosts North Shore from 1.35pm on Saturday at Lara Reserve.