Netballers at the ready
The time has come for Horsham and District Football Netball League clubs – round one is here.
In the months leading up to season 2019, The Weekly Advertiser has spoken with A Grade coaches and netball directors.
We have jointly cast an eye over player line-ups, goals and philosophies for the season to come, with a general focus on A Grade.
The HDFNL Netball Countdown series has provided an on-paper preview of potential movers and shakers and clubs seeking to heal last-season bruises.
Only time can tell how it all shapes up – who are the winners, and who are the losers, in what is sure to be another great season.
Back-to-back premiership title holders Natimuk United might again be the side to watch.
The club’s A Grade coach Cheryl Sudholz acknowledged the Ewes had become ‘the hunted’ team in the competition, and with a versatile group behind her, Sudholz said she hopes to maintain competitiveness.
Facing up against the Swifts in round one, the clash will be interesting for spectators.
Swifts were not able to win either of their two matches against Natimuk United last year, but a positive pre-season for the rising competitors has Swifts’ A Grade coach Courtney Morrow confident they can step up.
Edenhope-apsley and Pimpinio will also be of interest this season, both sides sporting a new look as the Edenhope-apsley Saints play host in the season opener.
The Saints have lost three strong players this season, but the club has been buzzing with excitement after the return of powerhouse Ellie Thomas, who is set to co-coach the A Grade side.
Pimpinio also fields a different line-up, losing four key players and coach Marnie Lehmann. A re-structure in the Tiger’s training regime, however, has coaches hopeful of a climb up the ladder.
A run of bad luck in the injury department for Noradjuha-quantong last year and a significant change to its A Grade side has generated some curiosity about how the squad might evolve in 2019.
But the Bombers have shown plenty of promise before and boast an impressive player list with resilience to boot.
Spectators will catch a glimpse of the new side as they come up against Laharum – a club tantalisingly close to stealing an A Grade pennant last year.
Demons senior netball director Bianca Mibus hopes consistency, and a taste of success, will have the outfit reaching new heights this year.
Other first-round matches this Saturday will bring Rupanyup and Taylors Lake, and Harrow-balmoral and Kalkee, to a head, with Jeparit on a bye.