ALTHOUGH they will finish the season after this weekend as Sunraysia A Grade netball’s wooden spooners, Red Cliffs’ 2024 season has been one of great growth and development.
The Tigers will go up against on Mildura in their final match Saturday, and coach Romany Bowen said her side was keen to take the court one more time.
“We’re feeling good about it, there’s no reason not to,” she said.
“We’ve got nothing to lose, and we’re just continuing to work on our season and what goals we are putting down, and just want to continue our personal good form within ourselves.”
While the Tigers have only been able to get two wins on the board, Bowen said she felt as though the scores and ladder standing wasn’t an accurate reflection of the progress the team had made over the year.
“Especially for me being new in this season, it took me until about halfway through the season to even figure out what A Grade looked like,” she said.
“Then it’s taken until the back end of this season for it all to actually click.
“I think that is probably the biggest takeaway if there is one, that what happened this year, losses and wins, were completely within our control – we either dropped the ball and didn’t do enough, or we did lift and we got the wins.
“But it was within our control with what we could and couldn’t do I think, and we need to take that on board next season.”
Bowen said it was hard to believe their season would come to a close after Saturday’s match.
“It’s bloody gone quick,” Bowen said
“I sort of feel like we have just hit our stride and I’m keen to keep going, but the season is done.
“But it just went super quick, and I don’t want it to be over, I’ve quite enjoyed it.
“We are hungry for it next year, and hopefully come the end of next season we are not having a conversation like this because we are in the finals.”
In other games, Ouyen United will host Merbein at Underbool Recreation Reserve, South Mildura will take on Imperials at Mildura Sporting Precinct, and Robinvale Euston will travel to George Gordon Oval to play Wentworth.
No matter what the results are Saturday, the final five teams are already locked in, with Wentworth, Mildura, Ouyen United, Irymple and South Mildura set to battle it out for this year’s premiership.
