AN off-season of change has greeted the netball courts at Hewnshilwood Oval, however Irymple are still aiming high this year.
While the Swallows secured a top-three finish, it was straight sets exit in finals after going down to Mildura before facing the premiership-bound Ouyen United.
While impressive basketball converts Bronte Pezzaniti and Vanessa Power won’t line-up again, and young trio MacKenzie Ryan, Lily Droffelaar and Keita McKee are out, there is plenty of talent coming back into the squad.
A big inclusion is Samantha Garraway from Bambill, with the gun defender a runaway winner of the A Grade Dot Wilson Trophy in the MFNL last year.
Eliza Weaver, who played in the Swallows’ last premiership in 2017 is back in the frame, while impressive young players Ashton Wade and Alice Leeder will also pull on the blue and gold.
New playing coach Shelby Trigg is again likely to be the main target in attack, reigning Jackie Horkings Medal winner Shakara Delcastegne will lead the way in centre, while Sophie Price, Elyse Kempton, Indi Spratt, and Evie Oldham will all play important roles.
“Seeing it all come together after a pre-season is great, during practice matches where you see what you’ve been working on fall into place,” Trigg said of pre-season.
“There’s lots of new faces and some we maybe weren’t expecting who have helped make up for some of the players we’ve lost.”
Irymple will have an extra two weeks to prepare for the season, not scheduled to play the opening round or round 1.
