AFTER a combined five wins between them last season, confidence-building is what’s on offer for Imperials and Robinvale-Euston, who will battle it out in today’s Sunraysia Netball season opener.
A fresh challenge also presents itself to the coaches, who are both leading at the highest level for the first time at their respective clubs.
Imperials coach Ali Walker was last at the club in 2016 as a junior coach, having spent the last seven years at Werrimull, where she won multiple premierships.
With last season’s finalists, Mildura and Wentworth, on the schedule after round 1, Walker understood the importance of an early win.
“I suspect there will be a pretty big turnout to the game on Saturday so presenting a competitive side and getting a win for us in the Season Opener would definitely be a boost in confidence for both the players and coaches,” Walker said.
“It’s been a long preseason and a win would certainly be a reward for the hard efforts everyone has put in.”
In the absence of key defender Meg McManus, Imperials will need to rely on other defenders to combat the influence of the athletic Georgia Giofrelle.
Last season, the goal attack was prominent in her position.
Despite her team winning just two games, she finished with 398 goals, at an average of 24.9 per game.
Only Wentworth’s Amanda Edwards (792) scored more.
In her first season at the helm, the 20-year-old is the youngest senior coach in the league and while she admitted she was a “bit nervous”, an improved team from their last match-up also gave her confidence.
“I think we’ll be very competitive this season … we had a draw against Imperials the last time we played them, so it should be another close game,” Giofrelle said.
Saturday should present a good opportunity for Giofrelle and the Eagles, while for Imperials, finding the right defensive line-up could be the challenge.
“We have six new defenders either new or returning to the club,” Walker said.
“We also have some strong juniors to step into some defensive roles so there is depth, it’s just a matter of working out which combinations will work best.
“As a team, we really haven’t played together so the focus will simply be to go back to basics and play clean, smart one-on-one netball.”
Imperials and Robinvale Euston play at Sarah Oval today at noon.
