A KIND opening round draw should see last season’s top three A Grade netball sides gain an early break on the chasing pack at Lake Cullulleraine today.
In the early encounters premiers Nangiloc face Gol Gol, who went winless in 2024, and minor premiers Bambill meet fellow finalists Cardross.
On the Saturday matinee it’s runners-up Werrimull against Meringur, who finished fifth.
Of the three matchups, the Saints-Lions seems the most intriguing – if only for the fact both sides played beyond the regular season.
Cardross are expecting big things from mid-courter Skye Saunders, recruited from Red Cliffs, athletic netball newcomer Tanisha Delcastegne and promoted shooter Georgia Leutner, but the Saints have also shored up their top side with the signing of former Merbein star and coach Breigh Hammet and the return of experienced defender Roanna Gathercole.
That edge in know-how should prove decisive for a team still hurting after a straight sets’ finals exit last year.
Nangiloc, who struck peak form at the exact right time last year, have lost a whole host of players from their drought-breaking premiership team but should have little trouble getting by the Hawks, who have also seen a mass exodus of A Grade talent and are looking to their lower ranks in a major rebuilding process.
A win at any stage of the season would be a huge fillip for the team across the river while, at this extremely early stage, Demons coach Ginine Sluiter, the only remaining member of the premiership side, is hoping her team can stay in touch with the likes of Werrimull and Bambill until her new-look side takes shape.
Meringur, coming off a 4-11 season, have boosted their squad and look a likely improver this campaign with added depth in all sections of the court.
But Werrimull, who had the title within their grasp until a last quarter collapse in the grand final, will be out to put that behind them early and launch another serious shot at the big prize.
PREDICTIONS: Demons by 11 goals, Saints by 14 and Magpies by 22.
