BEHIND all great netball teams is a rock solid unit at the back which the well-rounded Wentorth Roos can proudly boast to possess during their undefeated season so far.
At the core of that is none other than veteran goal defence Courtney Wakefield who has continued her outstanding form as part of the competition’s stingiest backcourt side, winning this past round’s Mildura Golf Resort SFNL Netballer of the Week.
Wakefield’s Wentworth have conceded more than 100 goals fewer than any other team in the competition.
Alongside partner in crime and Roos goal keeper Natalie Vercher, the pair have been key pillars to the team’s success as their goals conceded record is a testament to their formidable defensive pairing.
“Nat and I are extremely good mates which probably helps,” said Wakefield.
“We’re heading into our third season of playing goalkeeper, goal defence together now and we obviously know each other really well on the court as well.
“We just know what we’re going to do, and Nat reads the play really well from the back end of the court, which allows me to probably hunt and chase a fair bit from the top of that goal circle through to our attacking third.
“If I’m not there, then Nat’s going to be and vice versa.”
Wakefield said the team have been motivated through the agonising and bitter frustration of narrowly missing out on the 2024 title while going the entire season unbeaten before their grand final defeat to Ouyen United Kangas.
“We’re probably stirred on a little bit from the disappointment of last year,” she said.
“We’ve got a very strong list of players, and we certainly want to capitalise on that while we can.
“Our team is well drilled from the top, we know what we need to do with that little bit of extra drive from last year and personally I just want to contribute to the side while I can.
“I’m getting on a little bit, but to me age is just a number so while I’m playing reasonable netball, it’s nice to be helping the team towards our end goal of the season.”
Growing up as part of a talented football netball family, Wakefield has experienced time at other SFNL clubs but said she has no regrets over her decision to become a crucial part of the red and blue family of the Roos.
“My family have got a fairly rich history at the Robinvale Football and Netball Club, so I played all my junior sport there and tasted a fair bit of success across the junior and senior grades,” she said.
“I had a stint at South (Mildura) with my sister and then with my husband Tom, the Wakefield family, they’re fairly heavily involved with the Wentworth Football Netball Club, so after I met him it was a bit of a no brainer to end up there.
“I certainly haven’t regretted that decision ever since.”
As the Mildura Golf Resort SFNL Netballer of the Week for round 12, Wakefield receives a $150 voucher for the Mildura Golf Resort.
