Fit Roos a threat

Harrow-balmoral has built a reputation as a consistent premiership threat since joining the Horsham District netball competition more than 20 years ago.

The Roos, along with a handful of other teams, helped end the hegemony of Kalkee and are always a threat to win the premiership. This season has been no different.

While the Roos have endured a punishing run of injuries this season, they have emerged with a 13-3 record and another topthree berth.

The spot seems to be an accurate reflection of the season so far – Harrow-balmoral has beaten every team below it on the ladder but lost three encounters with top-two teams Natimuk United and Laharum.

Despite lagging slightly behind the competition pacesetters, coach Ebonie Salter is confident that with a bit of luck and a fully fit side, her team is more than capable of winning another grand final.

“It’d be nice to have a full team for starters,” she said.

“We’ve had a lot of

injuries in and out from the start. Amy Lewis missed the first part of the season, Kate Vickery did her ankle and then came back for a few games and did her calf, and Sammy Crick injured her finger a few weeks ago.

“If we can get everyone fit, we think we could really make it deep into finals, but we’re focusing on going week by week at the moment because we have to.”

The prospect of a full-strength Roos side is a daunting one for the rest of the competition.

When healthy, Vickery forms a formidable tandem with Salter in the key defensive posts.

Salter, who coached the interleague netball side, is renowned for her ability to read the play and intercept opposition passes.

Rebecca Francis adds plenty of drive through the midcourt and is an exciting player to watch.

She is supported by players such as Crick and Janelle Knight.

Lewis will be the focal point for the Roos in the goal ring if healthy, while Brittany Keller has been outstanding at goal attack.

Salter said her team was ready to compete against the league’s best.

“We feel like we really pushed Nati – we only lost by three and we feel like we didn’t play very well that game,” she said.

“Only playing them once means it’s probably harder to get an indication of where you’re at against them. Both times we played Laharum they played really well, and we haven’t performed well for various reasons. We hope we can get another crack at them.

“We’ve beaten the lower teams quite comfortably at times, so we know what we do works, we just need to keep persevering.”

Club netball director Kylie Mcclure said with all junior and senior netball teams qualifying for finals, everybody was excited.

“I think all our girls can certainly put up a strong performance in the finals without a doubt,” she said. “It’s definitely a good feeling and a good vibe at the moment.

“Having everyone involved is really exciting for the club.”

Coach: Ebonie Salter