Magpies feel right at home in Tassie

THE Collingwood Magpies have warmed up for tomorrow night’s practice match with the Giants by sampling a Tasmanian treasure — Maria Island.

Magpies best and fairest and Super Netball’s leading goal shooter Caitlin Thwaites said the team was pumped to be back in the state ahead of tomorrow night’s clash at the DEC, starting at 7pm.

“We’re really excited to be back here in Tassie. We’re really looking forward to our few days here,” she said.

Magpies coach Kristy Keppich-Birrill is also excited to be returning to Tasmania, saying the “first three days pretty much are about us being together and in the moment”.

With the team having limited preparation before the inaugural Super Netball season last year, there has been a big emphasis on team bonding.

The team embarked on traditional and non-traditional exercises, including singing and dancing lessons to help the players learn more about each other, with Thwaites confident it will hold the team in great stead for the upcoming season on and off the court.

“Our pre-season preparations have been really good this year. Last year everything happened so quickly,” Thwaites said.

Thwaites, Magpies captain Madi Robinson, April Brandley and Kim Ravaillion have been named in this year’s Commonwealth Games team highlighting the talent the Magpies have.

“It’s a huge honour to represent your country and to be named in the team for the Commonwealth Games.”

The Magpies are hoping to get as much Tasmanian support as possible.

“It’s the battle from last year’s semi-finals so it should be pretty exciting for the crowd but for us it’s a real indicator of where we are,” Keppich-Birrill said. Tickets are still available at ticketmaster.com.au