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Burras swift rise to a finals series
was no expectation on them, giving them ‘the freedom to go for broke, a very comfortable position to be sitting in’.
BY COURTNEY CLOUGH
M
inyip-Murtoa’s turn around season this year will long be remembered for its swift rise up the A Grade ladder.
The Burras have shown dedication to hard work and a refocus on player development, adding much excitement into their netball ranks. Full credit must go to the club’s brains trust and its endeavour to secure passionate first-year coach Vikki Burke, who brings plenty of knowledge and experience from the North Central and Loddon Valley leagues. Burke said family connections lured her to the Burras, and after some time away from the game raising her young family, she got excited when the phone rang again in the off season. Burke was approached in 2014 but declined due to family commitments. She said her mission in her first year was to focus primarily on player development. The Burras recruited well during the offseason, and Burke was determined to instil dedication, hard work and maintain the existing senior playing group by creating a culture that was going to bring their finals expectations to fruition. “We have come a long way in both regards and to have the success we had is a grand bonus,” she said. “The expectation was to play finals, and to be sitting nicely in third position is a great effort and very exciting.” Having secured the likes of talented sister duo Stevie and Billie Bibby, from Kalkee, Kirby Knight, Natimuk, and captain Stefanie Cooper through footballing channels,
While they might not feel the pressure of expectation, Wimmera netball supporters and fans alike were much aware of the talented players the Burras boast in their ranks.
Growing Burke believes sharpshooter Knight, who had blossomed this year improving with confidence and goaling accuracy, was yet to hit top gear.
DEFENDER: Burras’ Lateesha Gascoyne.
Minyip-Murtoa created a fair bit of hype in the pre-season player movements. But the Burras remained tight-lipped, instead putting in hard work and forming a united senior netball group. “A great deal of effort has been put into this year and we see the rewards. Next year is looking exciting to build further on the groundwork already done,” Burke said. Burke believes plenty of depth and options across her squad will hold it in good stead if the Burras can play consistent netball for 60 minutes. With all the excitement at Burraland, Burke said her side was young and had no fear going into finals. She said the players felt there
She says along with Knight, Spencer Smith and Billie Bibby in the midcourt, will be players to watch and serve the Burras well in their finals campaign. Burke rates Cooper and Stevie Bibby’s in-form defensive combination as ’simply the best’. She said the pair was classy to watch and, if her side could continue to apply intense midcourt pressure, they would create many turnovers their way. So what would a chance to play in an A Grade grand final mean for Minyip-Murtoa? Burke said it would be the ‘absolute ultimate’. The formidable partnership of Burke and captain Cooper is helping create something special at the Burras and there’s no time like the present to make that count.
EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Warrack Eagles goal defence Penny Fisher is among the best netballers in Wimmera Netball Association. She will be pivotal to the Eagles chances in the 2015 finals series. Pictures: WILLAMY IMAGES
Eagles set out to attack T
BY COURTNEY CLOUGH
alking netball with Warrack Eagles club stalwart and non-playing A Grade coach Jane Richardson, you’re quick to realise that her playing experience, loyalty and wealth of netball knowledge holds her side in great stead to feature strongly in September action.
The Eagles have continued to develop plenty of different combinations across the court during the season. They have an important blend of youth and experience, which allows them to learn from each other. “Our versatility is definitely one of our strengths,’’ Richardson said. Richardson believes her side has shown strong form in the home and away rounds, but said she would challenge her side to play consistently over four quarters. Richardson will look to experienced Megan Werner, Kerry Schultz, Penny Fisher and midcourt sister act Sarah Spicer and Emma Koschitzke to maintain the team’s focus and intensity as it tastes the pressure of finals.
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It’s clear that Richardson admires the work rate of her side. She said the Eagles’ training structure was geared around putting in hard work early to peak at the right time of the season. They have continually worked on developing their playing connections during training. Richardson said her players were excited about the possibility of being able to play in a home grand final at Anzac Park. “We’ve always had great support within our club regardless of our fortunes on the field or court,” she said. “I think if we are able to play in a home grand final, we would certainly have plenty of people cheering us on.” Richardson, who occasionally still trains with her side, admitted to having itchy feet about playing but said she enjoyed coaching, without the added pressure of playing. She said coaching her playing group would be topped off if she could see it achieve success at the season’s end, as the result of all its hard work.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2015