STRONG cultures and a focus on junior development have been the key to whole-club success, according to coaches of the SFNL’s two unbeaten A Grade teams.
Reigning premiers Wentworth and second-on-the-ladder Mildura have both had outstanding starts to the 2023 season.
But they are not the only grade within their clubs to record high results.
Across all junior and senior grades, Mildura have four teams sitting in first place on the ladder, three teams in second, one in third and one each in fifth and sixth.
Wentworth have three teams in first, two each in second, third and fourth, and one in seventh.
In all senior grades, Wentworth and Mildura are only separated on the ladder by one win, except in A Grade, where they are separated by percentage.
This weekend is the first time the two clubs will meet this season.
Wentworth A Grade coach Amanda Edwards said junior development had helped both clubs perform well this season.
“Mildura have really great juniors, they have always had a really great development program and we have developed our juniors out of netball for the last few years and they are really starting to form,” she said.
“You can see that by how they are going against other clubs.
“That is our roots and that’s where we build from. It is just so good to see the netball out there like that.”
Mildura A Grade coach Sharon Watson said club culture and the attraction of players benefited player performance.
“There is amazing strength across the board and I think that comes down to such good numbers coming in,” she said.
“Everyone keeps fighting for their own position as there is good in-house competitiveness.”
Watson said there was a “great buzz” around the club for football and netball heading into the weekend.
“(The games) will be hectic and absolutely amazing,” she said.
“Both clubs have good supporters so it is really exciting.”
Watson said her A Grade girls were expecting a “hectic” match against the reigning premiers.
“(Wentworth) have an awesome team, so end to end everyone will have to be on their game,” she said.
“And in saying that, we are the underdogs at the end of the day, so the pressure is there, but it’s more on them seeing as they have been undefeated for such a long period of time.
“Hopefully we can create a bit of scoreboard pressure early and see how we go.”
Watson said it would be an “amazing” feeling for the young side to actually get the win, but the girls weren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“If we don’t get over the line it will be a good learning curve anyway to see where things are at and where we need to improve,” she said.
Edwards said the Roos were “really excited” for the top-two showdown.
“The vibe at the moment is really up and about,” she said.
Edwards said the girls were expecting a “tight contest”.
“(Mildura) are a great quality side,” she said.
“Even last year they were very competitive as well.
“I expect nothing less from them coming out this weekend.”
Edwards expected the second half of the season to produce some more “fierce” games as teams adjust to each other’s playing styles.
The A Graders will face off at noon at George Gordan Oval.
