Dragons, Roos share spotlight with Vixens

KANGAROO Flat and Sandhurst have warmed up for a massive season ahead, with the BFNL netball powerhouses sharing the stage with the Melbourne Vixens in Bendigo last Thursday night.

In what Sandhurst coach Tamara Gilchrist declared was a thrill for all players involved, the Dragons defeated the Roos 33-29 in the curtain-raiser to the Vixens-Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic clash at Red Energy Arena.

With the Dragons’ and Roos’ complement of Bendigo Strikers VNL players on either restricted minutes or missing, both teams were well below full strength for the contest.

For the Dragons, Heather Oliver, Shae Clifford and Harriett Whiteacre each played one quarter, while Vixens-listed Super Netball Reserves player Ruby Turner was a non-starter.

Chelsea Sartori, Teal Hocking, Ashley Ryan, Milly Wicks (all Strikers) and Ruby Barkmeyer (Boroondara Express) were missing for the Roos.

While happy to have emerged with a win after they led at every change of end, Gilchrist was more content to get some ultra-competitive match-play under their belts.

“We didn’t think too much about a win-loss situation – we knew Flat weren’t going in with their best team and we certainly weren’t either,” she said.

“They were only 10-minute quarters, but I actually had 16 players rotate through the four quarters, which was very exciting. Everyone got at least 15 minutes, which was awesome.

“The A-reserve girls were pretty nervous – they had to step up, especially Reece (Gilchrist) and Maya (Dignan). They had to step up against Alicia McGlashan and Steph Greene, which is awesome for their development, having to face physical A-grade defenders.

“It was a top-notch experience for those girls.

“The crowd too was really building up towards the end of the game. It was a super night to be a part of.”

Light on for defenders, Sophie Shoebridge was a standout for the Dragons with her experience and leadership.

In a further encouraging sign for the Dragons, star midcourter and multiple-premiership captain Meg Williams got two quarters of netball under her belt following an interrupted pre-season.

The Dragons will get another look at the Roos this week, with Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat joining South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye for a round robin series of matches at the Golden City courts tonight, Friday 28 March.

Kangaroo Flat coach Jayden Cowling said a huge crowd (3221 people) at Red Energy Arena for the Vixens visit cemented Bendigo’s reputation as a ‘netball town’.

“It was a great experience for our girls. We had a few A-reserve girls step up and play and it was a fantastic opportunity to take the spotlight for a change,” he said.

“Especially with the calibre of players we had out, we were very happy with our performance.

“Our midcourt was basically our A-reserve girls and we saw (recruit) Ava Hamilton in goals for the first time.

“There were some great new combinations through the court. The girls were pumped.”

Cowling praised the efforts of six-time A-grade premiership player McGlashan on her return to the club following a stint at South Bendigo, including last season as playing coach, while Ella Wicks impressed in the midcourt.

Bolstered by an influx of recruits, including former Vixens goal shooter Barkmeyer, Hocking, Hamilton and McGlashan, Cowling is convinced his A-squad has gone up a level on last year.

It is an ominous sign for a team that made it through to the grand final last season and led eventual premiers Gisborne for the bulk of the match before succumbing to the Bulldogs by two goals.

In the main game, the Vixens defeated the Magic 65-41.