Lakers embracing stern test against in-form Redan

LAKE Wendouree coach Courtney McLean believes her netball side will learn plenty about their season from a BFNL clash against Redan at C.E. Brown Reserve this Saturday.

The Lakers have played themselves into a nice position coming off the King’s Birthday long weekend break at 5-2-1 and can open a handy break over Redan (currently 5-3) and potentially Bacchus Marsh (5-3), which plays ladder leader Sunbury, with a win.

A source of pride for McLean, the Lakers have played their way into third spot on the ladder behind Sunbury (8-0) and Darley (6-1-1) while dealing with injuries and other losses in personnel.

Their luck on that front just might be about to change.

“We’ve been unlucky with some injuries, but we are hoping to get (goaler) Mel Allen back this week which would be timely,” McLean said.

“That will add a bit of depth.

“We have worked really well filling the gaps within our own team and managing what we can.

“I am proud of what the girls have been able to do while we have been short.”

The stakes will be high on Saturday, with third place on the ladder up for grabs in what has evolved into an even season in the top half of the ladder

While the Lakers will certainly be wary of Redan, McLean could not be more impressed by the Lions’ progress under their coach Ashlee Smith.

“I think they have just flown under the radar, which, I am not sure why. I respect them highly,” she said.

“You would never write them off.

“It will be an interesting game. When their shooters are shooting well, they look very hard to beat.

“Ash has them very well drilled.”

A robust season for the Lakers so far this season, headlined by a draw against Darley in round four, has been built on trust in their team structures and in themselves.

“The girls have been working on different strategies in defence and being able to adapt that game has worked really well,” McLean said.

“And I think our defensive pressure all over the court has been really good.

“(Last round against East Point) our structure of play was outstanding. There were some passages of play that were just brilliant. They were exactly has we had worked on at training.”

An obvious highlight this season has been the composure and work in tandem of 17-year-old goalers Ebony Porter and Addison Funcke, who have coped exceptionally with the physicality of A-grade netball.

At the other end of the court, 16-year-old Audrey Domaille has been steadfast in defence against the league’s wealth of quality shooters.

It’s the Lakers’ rising stars in particular that are rewarding the faith of their coach.

“I’ve always been of the mindset that if you have young people who are good enough, why not give them the opportunity,” McLean said.

“We are probably in a better position than some others in that we have the balance of having some experience, some in their 20s and a couple of really young guns.”

Redan will be coming off a big win over bottom side Ballarat.

A better gauge of their quality came in a one-goal loss the week before that win against Darley in a finals-like contest at Darley Park.

Ladder after round eight:

1. Sunbury 8-0

2. Darley 6-1-1

3. Lake Wendouree 5-2-1

4. Redan 5-3

5. Bacchus Marsh 5-3

6. North Ballarat 5-3

7.East Point 3-5

8.Melton 1-7

9. Sebastopol 1-7