Roos chase back-to-back flags
Harrow-balmoral has its sights set on backto-back Horsham District A Grade flags in 2017, albeit with a significantly different line-up.
The Roos were superb in the 2016 decider, capping off a fantastic season with a 22–goal triumph over Noradjuha-quantong.
Roos coach Ebonie Salter said the club would be without both premiership shooters in 2017, with Anna-grace Close completing a graduate year in Bendigo and Amy Lewis pregnant.
Midcourter Amanda Huf is also pregnant, with fellow centre-court player Sarah Langley to play for Cavendish this season.
Defenders Salter and Megan Russell and midcourters Janelle Knight and Sarah Cleaver will return to the court for HarrowBalmoral this season.
Salter said the club would elevate several juniors to cover the team’s losses, along with several role changes for existing players.
She said Cleaver would play in goals as well as the mid- court, while development player Bec Francis would step up from the 17 and under team.
Fellow 17 and under player Sara Mccuish will also be a full-time A Grade player, slotting into goals.
Defender Kate Vickery, who last played in the Roos’ 2014 premiership team, has returned this season after having a baby.
Salter said she expected her team to take a while to gel.
“We really won’t know how we’re going to go until we get a few games under our belt,” she said.
“I’m expecting a few road bumps early in the season but we’re keeping the bigger picture in mind.”
Salter said the club had made significant changes in all senior grades.
“We’ve got a few girls out from all grades with pregnancies, which happened to us a couple years ago,” she said.
“We’ve got a brand new B Grade team, which is exciting.
“We’ve also got some new people and some people coming back to play.
“Things are looking good, it will just take us a little while to put it all together.”
Salter said the club’s aims for 2017 included making finals in all grades and developing younger netballers coming up through the ranks.
“There was a really good feeling at the club last year,” she said.
“We don’t want to drop off after being around the mark for a few years now.
“We want to get everyone to the finals, but we also want it to be as enjoyable as possible.”
Salter said she expected this year’s A Grade competition to be similar to last year’s.
“Natimuk United, Noradjuhaquantong and Laharum will all be up there and the Giants are still an unknown,” she said.
“The whole league looks strong. The teams on the bottom half of the ladder last year look like they will all improve this year. I think every week is going to be tough – particularly for us, while we put it all together – because every team looks a bit stronger.”
Harrow-balmoral will launch its premiership defence against Kalkee at Harrow on April 8.