Bronte feeling blessed to be 200-game Roo

FOR Kangaroo Flat defender Bronte Deary, coming back and playing her 200th game at the club where her netball career began makes the milestone feel even more special.

Deary, who turned 30 in April this year and reached the double century in green and white in last Saturday’s A-reserve clash against Eaglehawk, would have reached the milestone much sooner had she not spent three seasons away from Dower Park at Heathcote league club White Hills.

It was a tough decision she had no regrets making, and not just with the hindsight of ending up a two-time A-grade premiership player with the Hillies and playing in three grand finals in total in her three seasons at Scott Street from 2017-19.

Conversely, the determination to return to Kangaroo Flat ahead of the COVID shortened 2021 season was an easy call to make and one she will eternally relish.

Deary’s 200th will likely prove hard to forget given the match ended in a 45-45 draw.

While it might not have been the win she craved, the skilful and tenacious defender is fiercely proud to have joined the ranks of those who have played 200 games for the Roos, a perennial BFNL netball powerhouse.

“It’s been a long time coming, it feels like I’ve just started netball,” she said.

“I’ve been lucky to have stayed pretty much injury free throughout netball.

“It probably could have been 250 games if I didn’t go to White Hills, but that doesn’t matter.

“It’s scary how time flies.”

Deary, who landed at Kangaroo Flat in 2011 via the former Golden City association, after also trialling with two other BFNL clubs, considers herself blessed to have been involved with a pair clubs synonymous with success and tight-knit player bonds.

“Some people go their whole life without playing netball finals, but wherever I’ve played, it’s an expectation that you make them,” said Deary, who followed in the footsteps of her mother Janita, an A-grade premiership player, by playing for the Roos.

“I’m lucky in that aspect.

“Double that. I’ve been lucky to play with some really good players and been surrounded by good players, like Loz (Lauren Bowles).

 

“I started in under-17s with Loz as my coach and obviously she coached me at White Hills as well.

“To come back under Jayden (current A-grade coach Jayden Cowling), the last six years has been fantastic.

“We don’t have a high turnover of girls, so we’re pretty good friends as well, which makes it really enjoyable.”

That Deary has played in some ultra-strong or even powerhouse teams cannot disguise her immense value to the team, underpinned by steely determination, versatility and willingness to sacrifice her own attacking instincts to play a role.

While she has featured in only two A-grade games this season, she would be a starter in some and a part of the rotation in many other BFNL teams.

After playing in four previous losing grand finals for the Roos, Deary achieved the ultimate in team sport last season, with A-reserve premiership success against Sandhurst.

A big day for the green and white faithful continued when later on the Roos won their first A-grade premiership in nine years, also against the Dragons.

Deary believed it was a culture of shared success that made those accomplishments even more special.

“Because A-grade and A-res train together, we kind of feel like it’s all one achievement,” she said.

“It would be nice to go back-to-back again.”

The A-reserve Roos, coached by Cowling and A-grade midcourter Ash Ryan, are again well placed to be there when the whips are cracking later in the season, currently second on the ladder at 8-1-1, half-a-win behind South Bendigo (9-1) in what is the most competitive and open of the league’s five netball competitions.

While the competitive juices in her are flowing as freely as ever, it’s the camaraderie and enjoyment that have Deary loving being around netball and the club as much as the day she first pulled on a green and white dress as a 14-year-old.

“Tuesday and Thursday nights are getting colder though with age,” she laughed.

“But the social side as much as anything gets you back – just running around with your friends and making some good memories.

“That’s what you play for as much as anything – and maybe a flag along the way.”