Cougars to run rule over hopefuls

THE Geelong Cougars are hopeful that trials for those interested in forming part of next year’s Victorian Netball League squads will commence by the end of next month.

Restrictions in place as part of the Victorian government’s rules mean the Cougars will wait until players coming from Melbourne can join in the sessions, which are open to 19and-under and senior teams.

Geelong division one coach and Championship assistant coach Mel Savage said the trials would give the Cougars an insight into what players had been up to in the past two years when netball, like most sports, had largely not been able to play.

“It is a double-edged sword because it is a great opportunity for us to be able to see some girls who we haven’t had the opportunity to trial in the last couple of years or who have not been exposed to VNL standard netball but it is also a great opportunity for those in the 19-and-under division to trial for open,” Savage said.

“Last year we pretty much signed all of our girls after making a pact to remain loyal to the girls who had remained loyal to us.

“This year we played 11 games and got to see the girls on court, and we have a lot of depth, but we have a lot of open age players who are still in the early-to-mid 20s age bracket.

“So the trials will be a great opportunity to see some new talent but also to see those 19year-olds step up into the open category as well.”

While most of the players in the Geelong side are local, the strength of the club and the fact it is a university city means players from across Victoria often put their hands up to join the Cougars, and this year is expected to be no different.

“We have had some great interest from players already so hopefully that keeps coming,” she said.