Eyes set on premiership prize
It might only be pre-season, but Horsham Demons have their eyes firmly set on the prize as they prepare to defend their 2016 A Grade title.
Coach Pauline Butler has retained the majority of her reigning premiership team and believes the club has covered its losses.
The Demons will be without Georgia Duncan, Ally Hiscock and Lucy Hartigan in 2017.
“Georgia has moved to Geelong, Ally will play at Laharum and Lucy is having a baby,” Butler said.
“We’ve welcomed back Sheridan Petering, who played at Ballarat last year, along with Liz Jones from the Ballarat league and Brittany Nitschke, who has come across from Horsham Saints.
“Sheridan is an all-rounder, which is a huge bonus for us. Liz is predominantly a midcourt player but can play defensive roles as well and Brittany will give us another shooting option.
“What we’ve lost we’ve probably gained – that’s always the worry when you lose players. But I think we’ve managed to cover our losses.”
The club has retained midcourters Abbie Avery and Paige Lloyd, shooter Emma Buwalda and defenders Mel Scott and Georgia Hiscock.
“We will have depth and versatility this year that perhaps we lacked last season,” Butler said.
“We’ll be able to use a lot of different combinations on the court this year.”
Georgie Carberry and Tamika Mentha will fill junior development roles.
Butler said Horsham’s strong junior development program came to the rescue last year.
“At the start of last season we only had three or four A graders left from the year before, so things weren’t shaping up favourably,” she said. “But with our junior development program, we were able to elevate players up the ranks to fill those roles.”
Butler said while a premiership was her ultimate ambition for the year, her team would also aim for a top-three finish to secure a finals double chance.
She is aware neither will come easily.
“It’s going to be a very contested year,” she said.
“I think everyone will be fighting for a spot in the top five.”
Butler said Horsham’s biggest threat could come from several teams.
“Minyip-murtoa has gone from strength to strength in the past couple of years and will continue to do so,” she said.
“Warrack Eagles have welcomed back three or more players and Dimboola is shaping up to be a competitive outfit after progressing beautifully in the past few years.
“Nhill is the unknown, with 30 girls on the track, and Stawell is always competitive.
“It’s going to be a tough competition this year.
“The first round will be very interesting and will provide a bit of an indicator about what’s to come.” Butler said pre-season was progressing well at Horsham City Oval, with players practising in teams following selections.
The Demons have decided to name a 15 and under B team despite the association not fielding the division this season.
“We still have seven 15 and under B team girls training with us at Horsham and we will enter the team into a night netball competition in May,” she said.
“We’re pleased with this solution, to be able to keep these girls involved in the club and playing netball is important.”
The powerhouse club will aim for premierships – or at least finals – in all grades.
“We are clearly focused on the prize at the end,” Butler said.