Fighting spirit

Two losses towards the end of the Horsham District homeand-away season saw Natimuk United ultimately drop to third spot, but coach Cheryl Sudholz is not concerned about fighting her way through to a grand-final berth.

Sudholz said while some players enjoyed an opportunity for a week off, she believed her charges played better without a break.

“It’s been so good having Taylors Lake and Swifts back in the A Grade competition this year,” she said.

“It’s means there is not as much stopping and starting with byes. We’re not that good at coming back after a break, we’re better when we keep playing – it works for us.”

Natimuk United had only dropped one match – by two goals to ladderleader Laharum – until round 14.

The Ewes went down to Laharum by 28 and Noradjuha-quantong by 19 but were missing a vital weapon in their arsenal: Shannon Couch.

The tall shooter nets the majority of the team’s goals and is a strong rebounder.

Couch returned from holidays to play against Edenhope-apsley at the weekend, shooting 46 of her side’s 54 goals. “I’m very glad to have Shannon back, because we can return to our usual style of play,” Sudholz said.

“The two weeks we had without her really showed how much we rely on her. I always say she’s our anchor. Everyone has their role to play down the court and they do it well, but when we don’t have Shannon it throws us off a bit – which was evident in those games. We didn’t play very well and we were playing against two of the top teams.”

The Ewes will again meet Edenhope-apsley, at Beulah on Saturday.

Sudholz said she looked forward to entering finals with a settled line-up.

Amy Pilgrim has stepped up from B Grade this year and has settled into her goal-attack role.

“It took a bit of adjustment because we play a different style to B Grade, particularly with Shannon’s height,” Sudholz said.

“Amy’s adapted really well and has found her feet.”

Sudholz, wing attack, Emily Hateley, centre, Michelle Trigg, wing defence, and Danielle Fleay, wing attack and centre, are like a well-oiled machine in the midcourt and defenders Caitlyn Batson and Casey Vanstan are a solid combination.

“We’ve had two juniors playing with us as well this year, Ebony Rintoule and Holly Smith. Both have really impressed and are gaining valuable senior experience,” Sudholz said.

She said the side’s closeknit nature was one of its biggest strengths.

“We know how each other plays so well,” she said.

“Another strength is that we don’t panic. We’ve been in some tough games and we always remain really levelheaded. We just keep playing our style. It’s hard to explain, but it’s like a calmness comes over us.”

Sudholz said she expected a tough finals series: “Anyone can win on any given day.”

Coach: Cheryl Sudholz