Sense of excitement
While premiership hangovers can cruel a successful side, Horsham Saints netballers have opted for a ‘hair of the dog’ approach this pre-season.
Heading into 2023, the Saints buckled down and hit the track early after their Wimmera league grand-final win last season.
A Grade coach Jess Cannane, resuming her post as the reigning premiers leader, said senior netballers had been working closely with their senior football counterparts this summer, after putting in a five-week block of training before the Christmas break.
She said senior netballers wanted ‘more of the same’ success, in 2023.
“We know what works. There is a great feeling about the club and on the back of last season’s premiership, there is a real sense of excitement that we hope to recreate again this season,” she said.
The Saints’ major recruit this off-season is 2022 Laharum A Grade playing-coach Erin Mellington, who crossed back to the Wimmera league after a long stint with the Demons.
Cannane said Mellington brought a wealth of knowledge and a strong court presence with her to the Saints.
She said returning Saints players Holly Combe and Megan Byrne would bolster the squad, as would the continued development of Jorja Clode, who is set to lead a talented group of 17-and-under players making further headway into the Saints’ A and B grade teams.
Cannane said the loss of defensive mainstays Larnie Hobbs and Elly Barnett meant the side required some defensive adjustment, however, the attacking end of its squad remained stable. “We have a couple of things to work on in defence now, in regard to how we will play, but from an attacking point-of-view, it should be rinse and repeat,” she said.
Cannane said expectation on the Saints to manufacture another grand-final appearance was complex.
“Is there expectation? Yes and no. Every season we expect to play finals, but obviously, we won’t know how the other sides will look until we meet them on court,” she said.
“There are always rumours and stories about who is playing for whom, but we can only play who turns up on the day and go from there.
“Our structures will remain fairly unchanged.
“We know what works and we have set a great base to build on.”
The Saints start their 2023 season with a round-one game against Warrack Eagles, before a round-two grand-final rematch against Horsham Demons, at Horsham City Oval.