Today is part two of our SFNL A Grade netball end of season assessments for 2021.
Today MITCH RODD, with the help of the coaches, analyses Irymple, Mildura and Merbein.
IRYMPLE
Ladder position: 4th
Record: 6-4
Club champion: While a number of players put their hand up from game to game, former Horkings Medal winner Sherrie Geister and mid-court leader Shakara Delcastagne were perhaps most consistent. Steph O’Loughlin would have been in the running before a bad ankle injury.
Best newcomer: Youngster Indi Spratt crossed over from South Mildura to be part of the Under 17 program and found herself getting a lot of game time in A Grade and improving as the season went on.
Young player on the rise: McKensie Wade started the season well in defence, but was just as impressive when shifted into attack following O’Loughlin’s injury. The 18-year-old has plenty of versatility in her game and is a rising star at Henshilwood Park.
Best win: A hard-fought contest with South Mildura in Round 10 saw the lead change on multiple occasions before the Swallows managed to get the final break and win by four goals. An outstanding all-round contest.
Toughest loss: The Irymple side bore the brunt of a fired-up Imperials outfit in Round 11, with the green machine finding their mojo and recording a 19-goal win at Brian Weightman Oval 57 to 38.
Coaches assessment – Travis Coombes:
“The injury to Steph hurt us and potentially we could have finished a bit higher if we had her for the whole season, but overall I think it was a good campaign.
“We had two players over the age of 21 for most of the year so it was great to get that game time into the kids.
“They really worked out what they needed to do to improve and there wasn’t too many people in the same position as the season went on.
“I think next year we should get some older players back in, we had a few out on maternity leave and the like, so having them come in and support these younger players should be good for their development.”
MILDURA
Ladder position: 5th
Record: 5-6
Club champion: Despite never having played centre before, young gun Alexandra Leng flourished in her new role. Coach Abbey Madden said she has the speed and agility, as well as the attitude, to become a great mid-court player for a number of years.
Best newcomer: Abbey Madden was a welcome return to her home club, and experienced defender Sharon Watson had a strong first campaign in red and blue, forming a good defensive partnership with Katelyn Challis.
Young player on the rise: Shooter Zara Copley developed into a dangerous attacker as the season went on, finishing fifth in the goals tally with 274. Ava Zadow and Ella Higgins also have bright futures.
Best win: An eight-goal victory over fellow finals contenders Irymple in Round 6 gave Mildura a real belief that they could compete with the best in the league. Zara Copley scored a game-high 38 goals.
Toughest loss: The Round 2 loss to Brian Weightman Oval co-tenants Imperials was a tough one to take for the young Demons. It came down to the last two minutes, and Mildura certainly felt the effects of the two-goal defeat.
Coaches assessment – Abbey Madden:
“I think Mildura had a good season. We did play a lot of the top teams early on and we were quite a young team, but I couldn’t be prouder of the side.
“The stopping and starting all year didn’t help the girls at all, and just little injuries and the extended breaks hurt us a bit.
“This was my first year coaching and it was definitely rewarding and I loved every minute of it. All the girls put their heart and soul into the season, it was just disappointing that it ended the way it did.
“It’s a young team and I think it’s a really bright future for this A Grade side.”
MERBEIN
Ladder position: 6th
Record: 4-6
Club champion: Centre Sophie Kozschitzke was the fulcrum of everything the Magpies did during the year with her leadership on display. Shooter Rebecca Harvey finished with the third most goals in the competition.
Best newcomer: Charmy McCarroll proved to be a great pick up with her physical strength and fitness providing a strong option in both wing positions. Her versatility and game smarts also gave coach Breigh Hammet the option of using her in either ring if needed.
Young player on the rise: Merbein had two players of the future impress at age 20. Stephanie White provided speed and drive through the mid-court, and Sophie Gray proved cool head under pressure and settled the team’s movement when erratic play crept in.
Best win: A two-goal win over Mildura in Round 11, which turned out to be their final game at home, saw everything come together for the Magpies, with coach Hammet saying everyone played their role and the team structure felt settled.
Toughest loss: A 15-goal loss at the hands of South Mildura in Round 6 forced a re-think in the approach for Merbein. South put together a quality team performance while the home side just weren’t able to gel when required.
Coaches assessment – Breigh Hammet:
“This A Grade season was very up and down for Merbein, as I’m sure it was for everyone.
“With myself being completely new to the club and at least five of the girls from the 2019 A/B squad moving on, we needed time and match play to determine the best team line ups.
“COVID, byes and interleague meant that we didn’t play more than two games in a row until Round 9 in order to try different combinations and settle.
“Unfortunately, during this time our new recruit that had been a strong addition was called away as an emergency worker and missed three games. However, once settled we won three games in a row and started to gel across the court before the next lockdown hit, leaving only one game before it all ended.”
