Recruiting efforts creating dividends for in-form Coutas

Queenscliff, who missed out on finals in 2022, are currently in a three-way tie for second after seven rounds.

A RAFT of new faces and a stable playing core has put Queenscliff in good stead for the rest this season.

Coutas A Grade coach Katrina Daws said the netball club’s recruitment for 2023 placed the side in a good position to upset Ocean Grove last weekend, placing them in a tie for second alongside the Grubbers and Torquay.

“Our win last weekend probably came as a bit of a surprise to a lot of people, but our recruitment that we’ve done and the hard work that our side has put into this season, Queenscliff definitely deserves to be taking it to these teams,” Daws said.

Tess Campigli, formerly with St Mary’s, has bolstered the Coutas frontcourt by providing a secondary scoring option alongside captain and reigning league best and fairest Kaitlin Gladman, finishing with 26 goals against Ocean Grove most recently.

Queenscliff coach Katrina Daws has credited a substantial recruiting effort since last season as a factor to the side’s five-win, two-loss start. Photos: MICHAEL CHAMBERS

Former state level player Fionnuala McKeagney-Stubbs, Sarah Langley, and 18-year-old Keely Kinsey have also made substantial contributions across the court, according to Daws.

Among the returning group includes Gladman vice-captain Julia Mitchell, Amelia Bakker, Felicity Rush, Charlie Nicol and Josie Maher.

“It’s always hard to single out any one player out of the squad when it comes to contributions,” Daws said.

“Each player well and truly has brought something to the table this season and they’re all doing exactly what we want them to do.”

Following this weekend’s league-wide bye, Queenscliff take on a capable Barwon Heads outfit laced with experience at both ends of the court on May 27.

“Barwon Heads is a side that you just never know what to expect or what they are going to throw at you,” Daws said.

“It’s an extremely experienced side, especially with the Schippers girls (Erica and Kate), who have competed at the top levels of Geelong for a very long time.

“For us it’s really going to be a focus on making our transitions as seamless as possible and making ourselves as unpredictable as possible for the opposition.”

The Coutas rank second in points against (329), exhibiting one of the best defences in the competition.