The next step
The netball department at Noradjuha-quantong is keeping its cards close to its chest ahead of the 2023 season.
The Bombers’ A Grade side finished at the bottom of the leading pack of four in 2022.
It was not at the same level of eventual premiers Edenhope-apsley, or grand-final opponents Laharum, but clearly a rank above several of Horsham District league’s middle tier.
A Grade coach Fiona Rowe said while her team’s semi-final loss to Edenhope-apsley was ‘disappointing’, the Saints were clearly the league’s best side in 2022.
She said it was great to watch the Saints ‘hit their straps’ during their premiership charge.
“We definitely want to play finals again in 2023, but it will be about performing each weekend,” she said.
Rowe said the A Grade team would have a couple of new additions this season, who would be assets to the squad.
“Our side will look a little bit different, but perhaps a bit similar at the same time,” she said.
“It will be a similarly stable side in 2023, apart from our new additions.
“We will have a good mixture of youth and experience.
“We are still trying to up our fitness level this pre-season and developing our game strategies that, with a solid fitness base, will allow us to put our game into action.”
Rowe said Brooke Pay, who was ‘looking better than ever after the birth of her child’, would also return this season.
“We are looking forward to the season and all our netball grades are pushing each other to be better this season, than last,” she said. “There has been a great feeling at training this pre-season.”
The Bombers matched it with the best, at times, last season.
Their early-season wins against Edenhope-apsley in round three, and 2022 minor premiers Kalkee, were clear highlights.
A 23-goal loss against Laharum in round five, however, perhaps showcased the Bombers’ inconsistency.
A two-goal win against Jeparit-rainbow during an elimination final, a side they lost to by one goal in round 11, allowed them a chance to meet the Saints in the semi-final.
The match-up proved one step too far for the Bombers, however, who never got into the game and lost by 26 goals.
Shannon Couch, who led the Bombers’ attacking efforts all season, was an almost sole hand inside the circle and shot 569 goals for the season – an almost league-leading scoring tally.
Perhaps the Bombers’ 2023 ‘assets’ include an experienced, attacking teammate for Couch.
All will not be clear until Noradjuha-quantong meets an accomplished Laharum side, at Quantong, in round one.