Bulldogs aretracking nicely

TWO-time Gisborne premiership coach Tarryn Rymer is continuing to push her side to improve, but remains happy with the Bulldogs’ progress this season.

The reigning premiers have navigated the first four rounds of the season with just the one blemish, an opening round loss to premiership favourites Kangaroo Flat.

They have rebounded to win three straight games to sit third on the ladder behind only the rampant Roos (3-0) and Sandhurst (3-1).

The Bulldogs are in the midst of an intriguing and potentially tricky part of their season.

The combination of a split weekend of games in round five and a bye for the Bulldogs means it will be 21 days since their last game against Eaglehawk when they next hit the court against fellow powerhouse Sandhurst on 24 May.

Their clash against the Dragons will be the first of two in a row before another break on 7 June.

Rymer said the stop-start schedule, created by Maryborough’s decision to go into recess in 2025 and Castlemaine’s inability to field an A-grade side, would be in some ways hard to navigate, but was sure her players would leave no stone unturned to be ready for Sandhurst.

The Bulldogs are fortunate to have three of their A-grade stars – captain Kirby Elliott, Zoe Davies and Charlee Kemp – all playing VNL during the week, and in Davies’s case, with the Melbourne Mavericks in the Super Netball Reserves competition.

“The girls did a solid gym session last Saturday before the Castlemaine game before showing their support to the rest of our teams,” Rymer said.

“We’ll keep on top of things. The VNL girls will still get plenty of match-play, but the other girls will be fine.

“They are always up and about with their fitness, so I have no worries there.”

After a few early hiccups, namely a shoulder injury to star goal attack Claudia Mawson before round one and the loss to Kangaroo Flat, Rymer believes the Bulldogs have adjusted and are tracking nicely.

“We’ve had to change things up a bit without Clauds in goal attack and having her skills and expertise on the court, but it’s been nice to have a look at other combinations and give girls a chance to play out of position and develop in another role,” she said.

“For us, it’s getting better every week.”

Rymer was pleased with the Bulldogs’ 48-32 win over Eaglehawk, achieved without Davies (due to Mavericks commitments) and goal shooter Sheridan Townrow (unavailable), and in the continued absence of Mawson.

“Kirby and Charlee played defence together, which worked well, and we got to have a good look at some of our A-reserve girls, who came up to play,” she said.

“It was a solid win.

“Rylee Connell came up from A-res and played, which was nice.

“It was great to get a look at some other players and combinations that you don’t look at unless they are absent or away.”

Midcourter Emerson Lakey – a key component of the Bulldogs’ back-to-back premiership sides – was their best against the Hawks, with honourable mentions to Elliott and goaler Torie Skrijel.

Rymer said their next opponent, Sandhurst, was one they always looked forward to playing, having come up against each other in numerous finals over the last decade, including grand finals in 2018 and 2023.

“It’s an interesting game to come back to, but we’ll keep ourselves busy in the little break that we have,” she said.

“We love those big matches and it will give us a chance to test where we are at.”