DYNAMIC FOUR LIFT COUGARS
THE high-flying Geelong Cougars have received a welcome boost, gaining four stars in time for this year’s VNL Championship finals.
The second-placed Cougars will welcome back Brooke Allan, Mel Bragg, Vanessa Augustini and Allie Smith, with all four in contention to face the Southern Stars when the Cougars host the finals contender at Christian College on Sunday afternoon.
That quartet will complement the Cougars’ already strong list, which features the likes of Emily Post. Kaitlyn Sheringham, Julia Woolley and Tori Honner.
It is Geelong’s only home match for the season and Allan said she was looking forward to playing in front of a strong local crowd.
“It’s the best game to come back for, the Geelong game,” Allan said. “It’s been a long time. It feels like I haven’t seen them (my teammates) in forever, so I’m very keen (to play on Sunday).
“We played together last season, so it shouldn’t be too bad (to find our chemistry again). But it always takes a little bit (of time to adjust).”
A win against the Saints is crucial for Cougars, who are locked in a tough battle for second with North East Blaze.
Both sides are level on points heading into Round 15, with City West Falcons well clear at the top of the ladder.
Allan played the first three games of the VNL season with Cougars before commitments with Collingwood Magpies.
The Colac product will bring extra height into the Cougars’ defence, coach Gerard Murphy said.
“It’s really helpful having a taller option in defence,” he said. “Georgette (Paatsch) has been doing a good job, but against some of the six foot, six; six foot, seven girls, it just helps with Brooke’s extra little bit of height there as well.
“It’s just a different style of play so it will be really good to have a different option there.
“With Jess Standfield and Tori Honner rotating through as well, we have got plenty of variety (in defence).” TEAMS, GAME INFO: PAGE 30