Demons aim high
Long-time Horsham District league netball professionals Laharum were two goals short of back-to-back premierships last season.
The last quarter of the 2022 grand-final between Laharum and Edenhope-apsley was one of the most astonishing 15-minutes of netball of the season.
The Demons finished the regular-season second on the ladder, one win behind Kalkee, but level on wins with eventual premier the Saints, who finished the homeand-away season third.
Most rival clubs would expect the Demons, who won the 2019 title and were 2021 minor premiers, to be there at the pointy end of the season again this year.
Laharum enters 2023 with a slightly new-look squad, as well as new co-coaches who take the A Grade reins – experienced returning players Liv Jones and Caitlin Story.
Jones said the squad did all it could to defeat a star-studded Edenhope-apsley team in last season’s grand final, but was unable to grab consecutive Horsham District league titles despite a last-quarter fight back from a seven-point deficit. However, she said the entire netball department was gearing up for a ‘huge’ 2023 season that includes the club’s 100th-year celebrations.
“The new season has come around fast and we have been training since the start of February,” she said.
“We have great numbers at our training sessions and great numbers at our complementary crossfit sessions.
“We feel lucky to have partnered with Horsham Crossfit this season and we believe our fitness level will be our advantage in 2023.”
Jones said most of the 2022 squad had returned, except for former coach Erin Mellington, and Jemma Nagorcka, who had both sought opportunities at other clubs.
“We have lots of new faces around, which is very exciting and with some new spots available in the A Grade team,” she said.
Co-coach Story said Rebecca Mcintyre would return this season, while her coaching partner Jones and the side’s ‘young gun’ Rylee Hateley would remain players to watch.
“Mcintyre is the fittest she has ever been, which is so exciting, while Jones will play a crucial role at centre in the midcourt,” Story said.
“Our goal is to finish within the top three at the end of the season and then take each game as it comes when finals heat starts.
“We all would love to make another grand-final appearance, but we are all going to take it one game at a time – and take each weekend as it comes.
“Our advantage will be our strength, camaraderie and fitness this season.”
The Demons will celebrate their centenary at a home game against Natimuk United in round 10 on June 24.