NATALIE Vercher gives a fascinating insight into what makes the Wentworth A Grade netball team so successful.
And frankly, it isn’t that complicated.
The Roos play a modern, ‘total netball’ style in which every player is seen as both as defender and attacker, regardless of what it says on their bib.
Vercher says playing coach Amanda Edwards simply repeats certain drills at training that make them a seamless game-day machine.
“What you see on game day is a result of a lot of hard work at training. Amanda is really good with drills that get us to play this way,” she said.
“It’s really not too complicated. We do the same thing every year, with a few slight changes, but there’s a clear expectation of what our roles are in the team.”
It’s a system that has served the Roos well, with the team’s last loss coming in the 2019 Grand Final to Ouyen United, who they meet in round 3 this weekend.
The Roos have opened this season in stellar form, accounting for Robinvale Euston by 48 goals in round 1 and then trouncing South Mildura by 58 goals on Saturday.
One of the features of the Roos’ win against the Bulldogs was the work done at the defensive end by GK Vercher and her good mate, GD Courtney Wakefield.
The athleticism of both is incredible. Vercher is a former elite swimmer and Wakefield has just finished a celebrated AFLW career with Richmond.
The Bulldogs could only muster 17 goals for the game on Vercher and Wakefield’s watch, including just two in the third quarter.
Vercher not only reads the play very well, but her distribution in quickly turning defence into attack is a big reason why she is rated as the best netball defender in Sunraysia.
In a tight 2022 A Grade Grand Final against the Kangas, it was the qualified myotherapist who came up with two big turnovers in the final quarter that helped seal victory.
In a measure of the player she is, Vercher prefers to talk up her teammates than herself.
“Our defence runs all through the court. It’s not just Court and I,” she said.
“All the girls know their role and do a great job.”
*** As the SFNL netballer of the round, Vercher receives $100 courtesy of Mildura Golf Resort and Sunraysia Daily.
OFF THE COURT
Who has been the biggest inspiration in your netball career?
My sister, Lucy, who is a very good netballer and plays down in Melbourne.
Who is your funniest teammate?
I’d say ‘Court’ Wakefield because she talks smack all game or she doesn’t speak at all.
What’s your biggest pre-game superstition?
(Laughs) I have to have the toilet roll facing upwards, so when you pull the paper, it’s on top.
What’s your favourite movie?
Coach Carter
Last TV series you binge-watched on a streaming service?
Ginny & Georgia (comedy-drama)
What’s your go-to music before playing sport?
Body Funk (Purple Disco Machine) and Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses)
What’s your worst habit?
Talking when I should be quiet.
If you were down to your last $10, what would you spend it on?
Two beers in a pub and I’d talk the bartender into giving me another one! (Laughs)
