BFNL young guns complete undefeated run to Echuca title

THE Bendigo Football Netball League’s 17-and-under representative netball team’s march towards this year’s Association Championships is off to an impressive start.

The team – coached by Sharni McPherson and Alison Leech – completed an undefeated run in last weekend’s Echuca District Netball Association Tournament to claim the championship title.

A nail-biting one-goal victory over Rochester in the final capped a terrific day for the team that played 10 matches in total.

Led by captain Jaida Raco, from Sandhurst, the BFNL team amassed 134 goals and conceded only 66 throughout the tournament, including repeat victories over Murray (14-6) and Rochester (9-8) in the semi-final and grand final.

McPherson, who is in her fourth season as the 17-and-under co-coach, but is being partnered for the first time by Leech, said the squad, which features only two players from last year – Raco and fellow Sandhurst player Lila Kelly – could not have hoped for a better tournament.

“They have come together pretty quickly as a team, especially with such a lot of bottom-agers,” she said.

“Seven of the weekend’s squad were bottom-age players and one is what you’d probably term a bottom bottom-ager and could still be playing under-15s.

“We have some strong midcourters with Lucy Paton and Jaida, who are very strong and smart players, while Lila Kelly has a really strong ability to grab an intercept and read the play.

“It was a long day, as there were a lot of breaks between games, so credit to the girls that they were able to continually mentally get ready for each game and set new goals. “It was a great first tournament.”

The BFNL were without Strathfieldsaye’s Eden Pollard and Ady Neilson, both injured, allowing Kangaroo Flat’s Peyton Chambers – one of three training partners this season – to earn a call-up.

Goalers Larni Taylor (Golden Square) and Lexie Fennell (Strathfieldsaye) were among the standout performers.

McPherson gave praise to the team’s captain, after she missed much of last year’s representative campaign with a foot injury.

“As a centre, Jaida plays so well defensively and leads from the front – she is so encouraging of the girls,” she said.

“Such a fantastic leader. She has such great game sense and can direct on the court.

“We are very lucky to have her on court.”

McPherson gave full credit to Rochester for a tough grand final.

“They were missing some players as well, but were definitely very handy,” she said.

“They have three 15-year-olds in their side, which is a fantastic sign for them.”

Attention for the BFNL team now turns to the Central Victorian Netball Association Tournament in Bendigo on 1 June.

Full results:

Round 1 v North Central 14-7 WIN

Round 7 v Wangaratta Aqua 13-3 WIN

Round 9 v Barellan 12-9 WIN

Round 11 v Genazzano Pink 18-1 WIN

Round 13 v Rochester 13-9 WIN

Round 16 v Heathcote District 16-7 WIN

Round 19 v Central Murray 13-9 WIN

Round 22 v Murray 14-6 WIN

Semi-final v Murray 12-7 WIN

Final v Rochester 9-8 WIN