Healthy optimism

Young guns ready for the Cavaliers challenge

SIX exciting games of State League netball will see all seven teams in action this weekend.

St.LukesHealth Karana have the tough ask of meeting Cavaliers and Northern Hawks, and the young side will be hoping to put some strong performances on the board.

St.LukesHealth have the youngest list in the competition, and although the side have struggled for consistency over the four quarters, they have shown flashes of brilliance with Tasmanian Magpies representative Zanna Jodlowska leading the charge.

Seventeen-year-old state representatives Maddi Hay at keeper and Grace Pullen in goals are just two of five players still eligible for the under-19s competition; and with three other players in their first year out of under-19s the team has plenty of growth ahead of them.

Whilst the young side lacks the experience of their more fancied opponents, they will certainly be hoping for some good netball and with bonus points on offer, every quarter they can steal will keep them in touch with the top four.

Coach Lou Carter has been really pleased with how coachable and willing the players have been.

“At the beginning of season we set ourselves some goals and we’re working really hard on being united, competitive and nurturing,” Carter said. “We haven’t been starting well and that will be one of our big aims this weekend. We’ll be looking for consistencies and conversions of our opportunities across the four quarters.

“It will be a challenging weekend, but we’re looking forward to the opportunity, and if we can continue to sustain a good brand of netball across both our squads we’ve got a great future ahead of us.”

Cripps also play Cavaliers and Hawks and are coming in off the back of a solid win against AYC-Friends Arrows. This weekend will be a real test of the side’s growth, depth and maturity and they will be no doubt out to prove they are a genuine finals threat.

Arrows and Kingston Blues take on Devon and both will be hoping for strong wins and four bonus points along the way.