A BLISTERING start from Irymple paved the way for the Swallows to record a 61-38 victory over Robinvale Euston to begin their SFNL A Grade netball campaign.
A 12-2 lead was established in the opening term and the home side were never headed from there at Henshilwood Reserve.
It was a different looking Irymple line-up with only Shakara Delcastegne, Mackenzie Ryan and Sophie Price featuring from last year’s squad.
Highly touted basketball recruits Vanessa Power and Bronte Pezzaniti impressed first up, club recruit Shelby Trigg provided a target at shooter and debuting juniors Keita McKee and Evie Oldham had their chances to shine.
Power was brilliant at GA with her ability to score from unbalanced positions providing the Swallows with a real X-factor in attack, often hitting basketball-esque lay ups to put the points on the board.
McKee, a late call up from B Grade on game day morning, was outstanding at goalkeeper especially in the first half and did not look out of place in A Grade.
The speed and precision of the Swallows’ ball movement was able to cut through the Eagles set up on multiple occasions, Price, Delcastegne and Pezzaniti pulling the strings through mid-court.
Coach Sherrie Geister was ecstatic with the team’s opening performance of the season.
“It was great, we started really well and got on the front foot early which paid off for us, but there are still things we can always improve on,” she said.
“The game plan was to use our angles to open up space and get the ball in. We actually tried to take speed off the ball at times, which we did more so later in the game, but maybe it was the early nerves and adrenaline that got going.
“It’s so good (five new players) and we still have others to come back in. One of our players missed with illness, so Keita who was meant to be GK in B grade stepped up and slotted in beautifully. Now my head is spinning when it comes to selection.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to take the opportunities when they present themselves and Keita proved herself in this game which is a great headache to have as a coach.”
Geister praised young gun Price who was superb at wing defence.
“Sophie has nailed that position,” she said.
“Through juniors it’s not always seen as the most exciting role but in her time in A Grade she’s changed a lot of games for us and won our best and fairest last year.
“She’s just improving so much with every game.”
There’s was no surrender from the Season Opener winners as coach Georgia Giofrelle will her side back into contention, Indi Kirby and Shakira Hingano fought hard in defence, and Aida Natale showed plenty coming on as a rolling sub.
