SFNL representative players outside comfort zone

IT was all smiles on the court Saturday, as teammates, friends and sisters went head to head in the main netball game of the Dreamtime at the P.

Coming together to create two teams, the SFNL representative players took a step out of their comfort zone and played against those they usually play with.

The game was packed with action and speed, and despite an early lead from the Allstars, the Dreamteam never gave up or let the opposition take the easy win.

However, ultimately, the Dreamteam, led by Merbein coach Breigh Hammet, fell 12 goals short at the final buzzer with a score of 49 to 37.

A key factor of the Allstars win was their strong defence all across the court that rarely faltered.

The Allstars’s ability to maintain strong defensive pressure made it hard for the Dreamteam to get the ball into their ring from the first whistle.

Defence players Morna Naquto and Natalie Vercher were a good match for Dreamteam shooters Liz Rowe and Sarah Telfer.

The Dreamteam’s defensive players Regan Zaxos, Christie Becker and Courtney Wakefield maintained strong pressure throughout the game, but coming up against Amanda Edwards was always going to be a challenge.

Edwards stayed put in GS for the extent of the game, her accuracy and rebound ability still a step above.

Breigh Hammet said it was a very fast-paced game, with only minor changes around needed to allow the girls to shine on the court.

“It obviously took a little while for people to settle as we hadn’t played together,” she said.

“We were really good in our defensive, we just had to work out our attack and leading to the ball.”

Sisters Jorja and Shakara Delcastagne played against each other in the final quarter, going head to head in centre, and Wentworth premiership players Liz Rowe and Molly Mangan took on Christie Becker and Nat Vercher at various points of the game.

Sisters Morna and Francis Naquto played on the same side, able to feed to each other well to get the ball down to the opposite end.

Edwards said the switch around in player dynamics made for an exciting game.

“It is always fun and exciting playing with other people and other clubs that you might not get to,” she said.

“Playing against the Wentworth girls was really fun, there was giggling out there, it was really good.”

Hammet said it was valuable to see teammates from a different perspective to learn and develop skills.

“You find yourself all talking about ‘no she does this try and do that’ and you realise you’re giving away some trade secrets,” she said.

“But it is funny being on the opposite side and seeing your players from a different perspective.”

Several younger netballers put their hand up to play alongside some of Sunraysia’s most experience.

Allstars Indi Spratt performed well in goals alongside Edwards for a quarter, showing a talent for accuracy and speed.

Edwards said Vercher, awarded best on court, had a great game for the Allstars, along with the Naquto sisters.

“It was just good because some of those girls looked as though they had been playing together for longer rather than not at all,” she said.

Hammet said she was impressed with her team, despite the loss.

“Lizzie Rowe was really consistent with the ball and Regan Zaxos was an absolute safeguard,” she said.

“Courtney and Christie and Steph (White), they were also the consistent and everyone else got to play off them which was awesome.”