The Riverine Herald - Football and Netball
TALLYGAROOPNA
FAST FACTS >> COACH: DANIEL CLARKE 2022 FINISH: 12TH (3–13) 2022 BEST-AND-FAIREST: KIAN WISE 2022 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: KIAN WISE (24) HOME GROUND: TALLYGAROOPNA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: REDLEGS. NETBALL >> COACH: FIONA DOWN 2022 FINISH: PREMIER (13–2–
NETBALL
One of the big questions ahead of a new Kyabram District League A-grade netball season is can Tallygaroopna replicate its remarkable 2022?
The Redlegs snapped a 14-year flag drought last year and climbed to the pinnacle of the league after an incredible season and a dominant grand final triumph over Dookie United.
For returning coach and Redlegs legend Fiona Down, coming into a new season with the aim of playing enjoyable netball is the focus before she lets her side get carried away with dreams of going back-to-back.
“We were so chuffed with what we were able to achieve last year,” Down said.
“I’ve said it every year — it’s about making sure we’re having fun and enjoying our netball, it’s a social sport and great for our mental health, if we focus on that then the outcomes we have in mind will take care of themselves.
“There’s some young girls from the premiership side last year that are really hungry for another one and with that desire to win who knows what we can achieve?”
FOOTBALL
After multiple seasons occupying the bottom of the ladder expect Tallygaroopna to enjoy a big improvement in 2023.
The Redlegs have welcomed a host of experienced and talented players into the fold and have brought in smooth mover Daniel Clarke for his first full-time coaching gig.
“It has been a real eye-opener for me. I’ve been an assistant coach for a lot of years but this is my first full-time crack at it,” Clarke said.
The talented defender has brought a swathe of former teammates to Tallygaroopna with him, including Tim Karolidis and Rhys Bucktin.
Clarke’s relative Jesse Anderson-Clarke arrives from Wodonga Saints and is a crafty forward.
They join the foundations laid last year, headlined by bestand-fairest winner and talented forward Kian Wise.
It’s players like Wise that Clarke wants to focus on the most.
“He’s a young kid who has got heaps of talent and my role is to help him progress and get that 10–15 per cent better,” Clarke said.
“There’s a lot of talent there already and I’m looking at those guys and to get improvement from them and hopefully success will come.”
PLAYER CHANGES
INS: Tim Karolidis, Daniel Clarke (Avenel), Jesse Anderson-Clarke (Wodonga Saints), Nathan Smith (Merrigum), Rhys Bucktin (Merrigum), Andrew Oldfield (Elsternwick), Hayden Durston (Congupna), Kyle Montgomery (Shepparton United)
OUTS: Tristan Salau (Shepparton United), Joseph Barnes-Hill