Top of the table: Grubbers excited for Ammos rematch

A HUGE test awaits Ocean Grove tomorrow afternoon when it faces off against an old foe in Geelong Amateur.

Both sides made last year’s Bellarine Netball League Grand Final and have started the 2024 season undefeated with both sides securing five wins from the opening five rounds.

Only one team will emerge from Saturday’s clash with its unbeaten streak intact, barring a dramatic draw, but new Ocean Grove head coach Mel Holmes said her squad is excited for the challenge.

“We’re really looking forward to it, Ammos has proven to be the benchmark of the competition the last few years, we know they aren’t a carbon copy of the side from last year with the addition of Kailin Sheringham from Bell Park,” Holmes said.

“For us it’s a chance to see where we’re at and build on the rest of the season from there.”

Holmes played 10 years for Geelong Amateur as player and will be celebrating her 10-year premiership reunion from 2014 at Queens Park Reserve tomorrow.

Holmes has other reasons to celebrate Saturday, with the long-awaited debut of former Geelong West star Jess Leader donning the red and white for the first time this season.

Leader, who was a key target for Holmes to acquire after coming into the head coaching role at the start of the season, was delayed starting the season due to a move to Melbourne, but the midcourter is expected to provide a welcome boost to the Grubbers’ premiership defence.

Among the additions for 2024 is former league best and fairest Zanna Woods, who has comfortably fit back into the Bellarine ranks from Newtown & Chilwell.

Woods, a prominent shooter and Geelong Cougars member, has impressed in her four appearances back with Ocean Grove, shooting 125 goals from 137 attempts, placing her fourth in the league’s rankings.

“We actually have to manage her a bit because of the load she carries in the Victorian Netball League with the Cougars, so we’ve actually been limiting a bit to this point, but we’ll have the full squad on hand for this week against Ammos,” Holmes said.

“She’ll line up against Georgia Berry and Kim Hart, and we hope to put the pressure on up that end, and Georgia Ryan is expected to return to the side after missing last week’s clash with Barwon Heads.”

The Grubbers have toppled Queenscliff, Portarlington, Torquay, Barwon Heads, and Modewarre to date.

The Bellarine Netball League will have its bye week next weekend, providing both clubs an extra week to recuperate following Saturday.