REMEMBERING the events of 12 months ago, Ouyen United coach Kyra Nathan has left no stone unturned to find multiple combinations on the netball court.
The Kangas, who finished third on the SFNL A Grade ladder face an elimination final against South Mildura on Sunday at Brian Weightman Oval, with the winner to face either Wentworth or Mildura next week.
The same teams met in this corresponding game 12 months ago, with the Kangas winning 48-42 despite using a whole new formation after star shooter Tayla Willsmore tore her ACL at training in the lead-up.
Ouyen United may have gone on to the grand final and lose to an undefeated Wentworth by a solitary goal, but Nathan wasn’t going to be caught out this year.
“It’s been part of our journey for the last two seasons now (finding versatility), making sure we have every option covered,” she said.
“We learned that the hard way last year when we lost Tayla on the eve of finals, and she’d played GA all season, so we’ve made sure to cover our bases.
“We didn’t have Cat (Brown) against Imperials last week but it also gave me an opportunity to try some other girls who might need to play more of a role if we make it further into finals.”
Brown returns for the clash against South, and Nathan said the Sally Moore-coached side will be a tough opponent.
“I didn’t play the last time we met but girls said it was a tough contest and both teams matched up pretty well physically,” she said.
“They’ve obviously got great experience with Sharn Lane in defence and some high quality young players as well, so we’ve had to work on some different strategies to see what works against them.”
Nathan also praised the form of captain Esther Manley who has played an unheralded role in defence.
“She’s absolutely leading from the front,” the coach said.
“She is a really tough defender to play on, she’s tight and yet she can come off the body and take intercepts and plays well whoever she is put in that circle with.”
Ouyen United and South Mildura clash at midday on Sunday at Brian Weightman Oval.
