YOUNG GIANTS FIND A COVID SILVER LINING
TRAVERSING a Covid and influenza-ridden season has been a challenge for every sporting side in 2022, but Giants netballers are treating the constant unavailabilities as a blessing.
Geelong West has been left “plugging holes” across the season, including missing goal shooter Aleisha McDonald against St Joseph’s in round 6.
But Giants coach Jill
Leader said it provided the club’s juniors a great chance to impress at senior level.
“You have to manage players and the squad, we’ll develop from within when we get the chance,” Leader said.
“You can’t deny players these personal opportunities after two years of isolation and almost no sport.
“What I’m focusing on is having the girls enjoy the game every week.”
The Giants fell to St Joseph’s 53-39 at home last weekend, leaving them fifth on the ladder with four wins from their six matches.
In an even competition to start the season, four teams have lost only one game and only four points separate first and sixth.
Despite the result sending the Giants from third to fifth on the ladder, Leader said games against strong sides gave younger players, such as 16-year-old Charli Hoey, a chance at the top level.
“We’ve got a couple of juniors coming up through our program,” she said.
“Charli started in goal defence for us and she came up against an experienced VNL player in Emma Buwalda.
“She’s quite strong and physical, and our 16-year-old rookie has to start on her, and she did a great job.
“Starting a 16-year-old in goal defence is challenging, but she did a great job and deserved the opportunity to get first crack at it.”