BFNL young guns ready for ultimate challenge

CO-COACHES Sharni McPherson and Alison Leech have declared their BFNL 17-and-under representative netball side 110 per cent ready for the big stage of Association Championships finals day in Melbourne this weekend.

The league’s young guns will enter Sunday’s finals day in scintillating form following a trio of tournament of wins, including the Northern Zone qualifiers a fortnight ago in Bendigo.

Captained by Sandhurst midcourter Jaida Raco, the squad went undefeated through its three tournament victories, winning 33 straight games, underpinned by strong across-the-court defence.

While a few curve balls have been thrown their way through injuries, McPherson said the playing group had answered every challenge and was eager to test themselves against the state’s best.

“It’s amazing how well we have come together – the girls keep saying just how much they love being a part of the team. They are so excited to have got to where they have,” she said.

“As we know, Melbourne finals day is so different to any of the other tournaments we play. You just don’t know who is there and what else is out there in Victoria.

“But we are going there full of confidence by virtue of the fact we have gone undefeated that we will be able to match it with the best in the state.”

The BFNL girls will be aiming to go at least one step further than last year by reaching the semi-finals, after missing out last year on percentage, finishing fifth with seven wins, three losses and a draw.

They will have plenty of extra incentive to do well in Melbourne, in support of Eden Pollard and training partner Lily Hope, who will both miss out on playing due to injuries.

“We spoke about it at training last week that Eden and Lily would love to be in the squad this weekend, so we need to give a bit of an extra effort for them,” McPherson said.

“While only 12 can play, it’s a team of 15 that we have and we wouldn’t have got to Association Champs without all 15.

“We’re in a good spot. We have seven bottom-agers in the squad. While some played last year, a lot of them haven’t played for the BFNL before.

“Kangaroo Flat’s Peyton Chambers is only in year 9 but has come in as a training partner and is playing beautiful netball.

“She’s getting better and better every week.

“It’s so great watching her develop.

“It hasn’t mattered which seven girls we have put on court at any one time, the defensive pressure and intensity has been there.”

There will be more than a few unknowns in Melbourne for the BFNL.

The team has only played one of its rivals for the crown this season, Wimmera, which the BFNL beat in consecutive grand finals at the CVNA tournament and the zone qualifiers.

The margin was only two goals in overtime in their last meeting in the zone qualifiers grand final.

McPherson tipped the side to rise to the occasion in Melbourne.

“As Alison and I say to the girls, it’s an opportunity to test ourselves against the best in the state, as these are the best associations in Victoria,” she said.

“So, what an opportunity it is.

“There are no expectations, we’ll just go out and play our best and see where that takes us.”

The BFNL last won the 17-and-under title in 2015, under then coach Hayley Bolton.

That team included current BFNL A-grade stars Ruby Barkmeyer, Milly Wicks and Meg Williams.