Roos on the brink of historic turnaround

ANGLESEA Football Netball Club is in the midst of one of local sport’s biggest turnarounds following 13 rounds of Bellarine Netball League (BNL) action.

The Roos’ A Grade netball side is firmly in the hunt for a finals spot with five games to go, after a bottom-place finish in 2022 when the team recorded just four wins.

Anglesea sits in a tie for fifth spot on the ladder with seven wins and six losses, equal on points with Barwon Heads (28) and three wins ahead of seventh-placed Newcomb.

A Grade player-coach Bethany Keras said the team’s foundations were laid last year following on from former coach Tegan Philip’s work in 2022.

“We’ve got some new personnel in the side this year, some players have left for various commitments, but there are also some returning faces as well, which is really exciting.

“A major focus for us this year is cultivating a great culture, and for my assistant coach Ali Villani and I, that’s been at the forefront of our season this year.

“We’re all also just really enjoying ourselves and we’re enjoying playing together.”

Bree Caldwell, Eliza Toohey and Maddy Caldwell all announced their intent to return to Ellimatta Reserve at the end of 2022.

Anglesea junior defender-midcourter Briana Walters returned to the side for 2023, in addition to former Newtown & Chilwell player Isabelle Bartlett.

Former Heathcote District Football Netball League best-and-fairest winner with Colbinabbin Liz Cobbledick and former Geelong Amateur scorer Breda O’Kane (captain) are also new to the side.

Former Redan multi-sport athlete Amelia Jarvis has also been a welcome addition from the Ballarat Football Netball League to the defence.

Keras will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL she sustained in Round 12.

“Each week we just try to bring our best selves, and that’s how we’ll go into each of these remaining five weeks,” she said.

“We hope we’re pushing towards a possible finals run, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

“We’re excited for these next five games.”

Anglesea meets an undefeated Ammos side at home this week, before playing Drysdale, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Modewarre.