WHILE most of the intrigue, with two rounds to go in the SFNL A Grade netball season, revolves around potential finalists, one side out of the running are pleased with their own development.
Robinvale Euston coach Hayley Siddons said her playing squad, which has rarely been the same line-up from week to week, have become better netballers throughout 2023.
Despite some heavy losses, the Eagles have impressed many with their fast-passing and athletic game style, including a performance that almost saw them upset the seemingly finals-bound Ouyen United last week.
“Last week the girls played out of their skins and really took it to a quality opponent,” Siddons said.
“Even the Ouyen United girls’ commented afterwards how well they had played which was certainly nice of them.
“Considering we’ve had so many fluctuations across the season with our playing list I think there has been some real improvement there from the girls.”
With the Eagles having the final-round bye, their season will conclude after Saturday’s contest with South Mildura, and they can still play the spoiler.
South are one of four teams, alongside Ouyen United, Merbein and Irymple, within a game of each other battling for two finals places.
Siddons, however, hopes her team can finish on a high with victory number three for the campaign.
“I feel we played South pretty well in the first half last time, and then we tried a few things with some of the younger girls in the second half and it got away from us, but with a stronger side we’re hoping we can go out on a win,” she said.
“Coming into the season knowing we had lost a lot of players, we were going to develop a young group within the A and B Grade squad.
“We were always hoping to strengthen and develop the group as a lot of players had some immaturity in experience, if you will.
“We wanted them to be better netballers and they’ve definitely achieved that.”
In other games today, Merbein face a tough battle with defending champions Wentworth, Ouyen United will look to claim four points against Red Cliffs, while Imperials and Mildura meet in a battle for the Brian Weightman Oval co-tenants. Irymple have the bye.
