Swans showing signs of progress

IT HAS been a tough start to the season for Ballarat’s netballers, but after a spirited effort against East Point last Saturday, Swans coach Maria Nunn is optimistic about what the future holds.

While the Swans slipped to 0-7 following their 49-33 loss to the Kangaroos, Nunn knows their progress this season will not be measured in wins and losses.

“The girls are really young – our average age is about 17, but each game we are improving our timing, our release of feeds,” she said.

“It’s inconsistent, but they had a really good game (against East Point). There were some really great patches.

“Credit to them, East just went away with it in the second half, but we are a young group and really kept at it.

“Sometimes when we have played sides it has slipped away from us, but (on Saturday) it didn’t and at times we came back.”

Not shying away from the fact they are in rebuild mode, Nunn said a win would do wonders for the confidence of the Swans.

While no one – Nunn included – can predict when the drought might be broken, she insists that when it is, it will be well deserved.

“The girls know they are improving and the more they train together and the more we build relationships and connections in each position, our time will come,” she said.

“As I have said, they are such a young group. If we can keep them together, the future is really bright.”

What cannot be questioned is the attitude of the Swans’ players, with Nunn praising their application and commitment.

“It’s important that we are developing our juniors well and getting them through to seniors,” Nunn said.

“We’ve got a few 17s coming to (senior) training and they will earn some game time.

“It is a rebuilding phase, but we want to keep our core and continue the progression of the juniors into next year and beyond.”

The Swans were able to stick with East Point for a half last Saturday before the experience of the Bulldogs shone through.

They trailed by only two goals at quarter time and by five at half time.

A model of consistency this season, Abbie O’Brien was the Swans’ standout at goal keeper, underpinned by her strong rebounding.

Famke McCallum (20 goals at 83.33 per cent) and Grace Jackson (13 goals) enhanced their goal ring partnership with solid performances.

Nunn said “self-belief” would be a key for the Swans in their next assignment against a much-improved Redan.

The Lions, who defeated North Ballarat a fortnight ago, will be on the rebound after being pipped in a thriller against Redan last Saturday.

“We’ll need to make sure we keep our positive talk up and when things don’t go our way, keep the second efforts coming,” Nunn said.

“We do have some really lovely passages of play down the court, it’s just working towards that consistency.

“I have no doubt we will be competitive with Redan as we keep improving each week.”

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