THE start to the SFNL A Grade netball season has provided a learning curve for new Merbein coach Breigh Hammet, and that will only get steeper on Saturday with the clash against Mildura looking vital to their finals aspirations.
While Wentworth and Ouyen United are the clear front-runners, there is a logjam of teams from third to seventh separated by just four points, which includes the Magpies and Demons.
With Imperials and Irymple also coming together on Saturday, there is an opportunity for one side to force their way into the top four.
Last time Merbein and Mildura met the Demons won by six goals, but Hammet believes her side are in a better position now.
“That feels like forever ago,” she said.
“Part of that is on me, being a new coach at a new club there was a bit of playing around with structures and positions and seeing what works.
“In the past few games we’ve been better on that front, so if we can turn that margin around and make that into a win, we’ll be putting ourselves right up there.
“Wentworth and Ouyen are clearly at the top, but from third to seventh it’s so even any team could potentially push themselves into the top four. No one is out of it.”
The switch of Emily Gray to a more permanent role as goal attack, rather than her usual wing attack, has made a marked difference for the Magpies.
“It maybe took her a couple of weeks to get into the frame of mind of putting the shots up as well as feeding the ball in, but she’s been great and it’s been one of the big reasons behind us being more settled,” Hammet said.
“She’s got a great veteran shooter to work with in Rebecca Harvey.
“We’re also not bad defensively. We get a good number of turnovers but it’s how we move the ball down the court afterwards we need to work on more.”
Having had a rotating door of players through both wing positions, Hammet said Sophie Kozitchske’s presence in the centre had helped the transition.
“Sophie just settles the side down,” she said. “That’s where Sophie is so good because she knows her role so well and can really work in with anybody there.”
In other contests, South Mildura are at home to Red Cliffs while Wentworth host Robinvale Euston.
