WENTWORTH
THE Roos will start the SFNL A Grade netball season as red-hot favourites to make it three straight flags.
An already-formidable squad will be bolstered by the return of 2022 premiership player Emily Hosking in the three-peat hunt.
Playing coach Amanda Edwards fired an ominous warning on the eve of the season by declaring her team had room for improvement in 2024.
“I think we do, both individually and as a team,” Edwards said.
“I can’t fault our work ethic or intensity, but whether it’s on or off the court, there’s always things we can do better.”
One of Edwards’ great strengths is her tactical approach in guiding a team that hasn’t been beaten since the 2019 grand final.
“This is how I structure my trainings throughout the season,” she said.
“We review the game we’ve just played but we quickly move on and adjust for our next opponent.”
One of the most fascinating match-ups of the A Grade season will be when the defending champions clash with Irymple in round 8.
Edwards will come up against great mate Vanessa Power, who ended her stellar basketball career at the end of the 2023 Big V season before linking with the Swallows’ netball outfit.
The clash will see two of Mildura basketball’s greatest ever players duke it out on opposing teams.
“Ness hasn’t played netball for many years but I’m confident she’ll be preparing herself well for the switch,” Edwards said.
“She is my best mate.
“I would have loved for her to be playing with us, but you can’t have everything, can you?
“I’m just really looking forward to the battle against her.”
Power has tried to lower expectations heading into her first top-grade netball season in more than a decade but insiders say she is adjusting well to the new rules.
She could potentially line up in defence against sharp shooter Edwards.
Forget the senior footy as the main drawcard at George Gordon Oval on Saturday June 1: all eyes that day will be on the Power-Edwards head-to-head battle from noon.
