WENTWORTH kicked off their quest for a three-peat in emphatic fashion against Red Cliffs in their SFNL A Grade netball clash on Saturday.
The new courts at George Gordon Oval were bathed in autumn sunshine as Amanda Edwards’ team showed why they are the competition’s benchmark after winning back-to-back flags.
The ball movement was as slick as ever, as they repeatedly turned defence into attack in the twinkling of an eye.
Playing coach Edwards drained 46 of the Roos’ 78 goals, as her and fellow shooter Lizzie Rowe gave a baptism of fire to Tigers debutant Alice Leeder.
The 16-year-old could hold her head high, though, after competing well against two bigger-bodied opponents, who pose headaches for any defence.
The margin of victory blew out to 47 goals for the Roos, but the new-look Tigers side put together some good passages of play.
Coach Romany Bowen said she was “really proud” of how well her team stuck to the daunting task.
“Yes, we had lulls and there were times when we lost our intensity, but then, to our credit, we regained our composure and made them think about it,” she said.
“There is so much drive among our players to be better. The club’s been sitting on the bottom of the ladder and people think, ‘it’s just Red Cliffs’. But I can tell you that these girls have the skills.
“Once we uncover it fully, we’ll give some teams a good a shake.”
She gave enormous props to the Roos, who she rates as a “once-in-a-generation” team.
“Amanda’s done a sensational job at the club over the years she’s been in charge,” Bowen said.
Asked how teams would try to beat the Roos this season, she said: “You have to stop their flow.
“They are fast and formidable. It’s ‘bang, bang, bang’ with their ball movement and hard to defend.
“No one does it more clinically through the midcourt than Wentworth.”
Edwards said she was pleased her team’s “consistency over the four quarters”, despite having “a few loose balls that we threw away”.
“I thought our defence transition was really good and quick, and we made the most of their turnovers,” she said.
The Roos’ defensive stocks continue to grow, with 17-year-old Lola McInerney making a good impression alongside seasoned performers Natalie Vercher, Courtney Wakefield and Christie Becker, who was best-on-court.
“We’re very blessed in this department,” Edwards said.
