Rebuild success
Swifts have enjoyed an impressive 2018 Horsham District season, qualifying for netball finals just two years after the club was unable to field an A Grade team. The Baggies have chalked up 10 wins from 16 matches, finishing on the same points as Harrow-balmoral and Edenhope-apsley and securing fourth place. Coach and midcourter Courtney Morrow said she was thrilled to build on a successful return to the court in 2017. “Last year, after a year off, I really wanted to get an A Grade side up and running again. We won four games, which was a great achievement,” she said. “It’s been great to get into the finals this year. The girls have really stepped up and we are excited to see what we can do.” Morrow said although her charges were keen to participate in post-season action, they knew finals were a different ball game. “It doesn’t matter what happens throughout the season, because anything can happen in finals,” she said. “We’ll have to see how things pan out. Hopefully we’ll do alright. I am confident we can go well, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.” Some handy pick-ups in the off-season have contributed to Swifts’ success this year. Michaela Armer has been a great addition, strengthening the Baggies’ capabilities in the goal ring. The accurate shooter uses her body well and has posted some healthy totals for the side this season. Her goaling partner Jade Ralph has been moving well in the ring, sharing the load and providing the Baggies with two solid avenues to goal.
Quick, strong Julia Coates has also boosted the side since slotting into goal defence, applying plenty of pressure to the opposition and helping move the ball down the court.
Keeper Erin Freeland reads the play well, while Tara Sky Long, Briana Close and Laura Farrer are also good defensive options.
Midcourters Morrow and newcomer Heidi Lang can run for days and work well together to feed the ball into the circle, while juniors Drew Smith and Darcy Crawford can also be used in several positions.
“It’s been exciting to see some of our junior players step up, especially in the past few weeks,” Morrow said.
“A lot of our success this season has come from the team really committing to working hard and supporting each other. Everyone has been willing to contribute both on and off the court to get the Baggies back into finals netball.
“We’ve had our up and down weeks but we’ve always pushed through. Even when we’re down we don’t drop our heads, we keep encouraging each other and have a bit of fun while making sure we keep up our pressure down the court and play our own game.”
Swifts have a chance to advance their season when they meet Edenhope-apsley in an elimination final at Rupanyup on Sunday. Morrow is confident her side can do well. “I think Natimuk United and Laharum are our biggest threats this year,” she said.
“The others we have gone one and one with and I think we can give any of them a run for their money.”