ALTHOUGH disappointed about the final margin, Heathcote coach Chloe Meulenmeesters said there were positive signs in Saturday’s first round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball.<\/p>\n
The Saints made their way to Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval to take on Mount Pleasant.<\/p>\n
“We had some really great passages of play in attack where we are building connections,” said the Saints’ first-year coach.<\/p>\n
It was the Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant which made a hot start in the warm conditions.<\/p>\n
The Saints copped an early injury blow when centre Elisa Pica was hurt and off the court by the five-minute mark.<\/p>\n
“Adapting after Elisa was hurt, the heat and the lack of fresh legs really hit us hard,” Meulenmeesters said.<\/p>\n
Heathcote was able to generate turnovers in defence and mid-court, but converting chances into goals was at a low percentage.<\/p>\n
By the final whistle the Blues led 61-24.<\/p>\n
After a break for Easter, Heathcote’s players will be on their home court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve on April 26 to play Colbinabbin.<\/p>\n
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin which was runner-up in ’24 had the bye last Saturday.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Meulenmeesters said.<\/p>\n
“We are up against a team which has great on-court connection and a lot of skill.<\/p>\n
“We will put in the work at training and be focussing on our game style.”<\/p>\n
Round one of the Heathcote DFNL season tipped off with big wins in A-grade for Huntly and White Hills in Saturday night’s matches.<\/p>\n
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks won 52-30 on Lockington’s court, as the Winslow Constructor White Hills Demons won on their Scott Street court against Leitchville Gunbower by 24 goals.<\/p>\n
Closest match of the round was at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo where Elmore fought on for a 36-31 victory against the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ALTHOUGH disappointed about the final margin, Heathcote coach Chloe Meulenmeesters said there were positive signs in Saturday’s first round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball. The Saints made their way to Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval to take on Mount Pleasant. “We had some really great passages of play in attack where we are […]<\/p>\n