Demons determined to be competitive

THE young and versatile Portarlington A grade side is aiming to put four quarters together against finals contender Queenscliff in Round 7 of the BNL tomorrow (Saturday, May 24).

The match starts at 1.50pm at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve and the sixth-placed Demons are coming off a 49-49 draw against Anglesea.

Demons coach Guy McCleish said the group had learnt it couldn’t be complacent after leading 39-34 at three-quarter-time.

He noted wing attack Morgan van Leerdam had her best game of the year, feeding the ball to goal shooter Tully Bethune who had a day out with 44 conversions.

Despite registering two wins so far, McCleish said the highlight of the season had been the gallant 52-39 loss to Torquay, which showed the Demons could match it with a top-five side.

He said Portarlington, who have an average age of 21, were working on cherishing the ball.

“It’ll be very exciting to see a four- quarter effort against a top team to see where we are really at,” he said.

“Hopefully it will come against Queenscliff.”

Defender Grace Boland went down with an ankle injury late against Anglesea and McCleish said she might miss a couple of games.

The new coach, who hails from Altona, has three sons in the men’s state netball program while his daughter, Tylah, is involved in the Geelong Cougars’ pathway program.

He is also a part of the Cougars’ coaching staff.