ONE of the hottest winning streaks in Sunraysia sport is showing no sign of ending any time soon.
It’s been a whopping 1686 days since Wentworth’s A Grade netball team last lost a game.
That came in the 2019 grand final against Ouyen United.
There were, of course, a couple of COVID pandemic-interrupted years in 2020-21. But you can take nothing away from the achievements of the Wenty wonder women, led by playing coach Amanda Edwards.
The days when I’ve covered the two-time defending champion Roos’ games over the past few seasons have been an absolute joy to watch.
The sublime ball movement is eye candy, where there is a kind of ‘total netball’ at work. Defenders see themselves as attackers in launching wave after wave of penetrating plays. It’s relentless stuff.
One of the secrets of the team’s success has been the great depth of talent in the club’s junior and senior ranks.
After round 2 this season, Wenty’s teams are undefeated in A Grade, B Grade, C Grade, C Reserve (go Caitlin Finch!), Under 17 Division 1, as well as 15 and Under Division 1 and 2.
It’s a continuation of the broader success of the Roos’ netball program in recent years.
I spoke with sharp shooter Edwards this week about what’s made the Roos the netball benchmark of the SFNL.
She is quick to point out that it all started with a great emphasis on junior development.
She gave a shout-out to Jodie Clay, a long-time coach of the Under 13 Division 1 team.
“Jodie works very hard with the girls on the fundamentals of the game, including footwork and passing, and developing a good team culture,” Edwards said.
“It really starts there. And it keeps building.”
Another key point to note is that seven of the club’s A Grade players coach other senior and junior teams at George Gordon Oval’s courts.
Christie Becker is also a mentor for the junior coaches.
They are clearly passing on a winning mentality to the lower grades, and making up-and-coming players like Lola McInerney, 17, want to be part of an all-star A Grade cast featuring Edwards and a trio of gun defenders in Nat Vercher, Courtney Wakefield and Becker.
The other noticeable thing post-game in A Grade is just how much the Wenty players enjoy each other’s company.
They are great mates.
And, as we know, mates don’t like to let their mates down.
“We definitely play for each other,” Edwards said. “Everyone knows their role and what’s required to execute the game plan.”
I interviewed ex-AFL player Jarrod Brander after the Roos’ round 1 senior football game against Red Cliffs.
During our chat, he gave massive props to the club’s netball program, saying the footballers want to emulate the success of the women.
Asked how did that made her feel, Edwards said: “It’s nice to hear that.
“I know the boys have a lot of respect for how we go about it.
“A few of us in the A Grade team have been part of years when we haven’t been successful.
“So when the times are good like this, you’ve just got to enjoy the ride.”
The Roos are at home against Merbein from noon today, when the club play their part in the Dareton and Coomealla centenary celebrations this weekend.
Kicking goals
Mildura Council staff took me on an hour-long tour around Mildura Sporting Precinct this week.
They highlighted the massive boost in participation rates among the dozen sports that are using the facility as Stage 2 nears completion.
This is clearly one of the most important benefits of having the $47.5 million precinct – increasing the number of locals who are being active in the community.
There are still some teething issues that need ironing out, including the beach volleyball courts (making the sand compliant for play), along with getting shade in place around the second oval ahead of the next cricket season.
But in general terms, the facility’s kicking goals for the community.
As Bob Faulkhead said in last week’s Saturday Serve, the council staff have faced a tough task in juggling the needs of local user groups and making the facility fit for major events.
He said that everyone was cheering for the council to get it right – and I completely agree.
But it doesn’t mean they are immune from the media reporting the stuff-ups and oversights, including the beach volleyball courts, the lack of seating and glare on the courts from the big stadium windows (that are now covered), along the way.
A significant amount of taxpayers’ money is going into this project, and it demands scrutiny … in the public interest.
