TWO wins from three games has created a positive vibe about Balranald for the first time in a couple of years.
The Roos have struggled for numbers in recent seasons and therefore struggled to compete on-court.
This year they have won two of their first three games, including most recently a seven-goal win over Koondrook Barham.
The addition of Belinda Evans to the side has been a key, with Evans finding herself in Balranald for work.
The rest are locals, including more experienced players like Lisa Jolliffe, Dee Jess and Rebecca Stevens.
The older trio have continued to encourage the Roos’ stable of young stars like Brogan Carter and Bree Scott.
Balranald netball president Bronwyn Brougham said the young players looked up to the trio.
“The younger girls have got so much respect for them, and [the experienced players] encourage them,” she said.
Brougham said the Roos season prospects remained a week-by-week proposition though.
“We are pretty happy with how everything’s going. We’re trying and that’s about all you can do,” she said.
“We are just going to be competitive and try hard each week. We are just hoping for competitive games.”
Meanwhile, Cohuna coach Jenny Brain said she was going to emphasise the need to maintain possession as the Kangas prepare to take on the Central Murray’s top team.
“We’ve been working pretty hard at training and it will be nice to see some of those strategies come into play [against Swan Hill tomorrow],” she said.
The Kangas lost to the Mallee Eagles and Nyah Nyah West United in their opening two games, and the coach said she wants the team to strive to apply pressure all over the court.
“We have had a few changes, we haven’t had our full team for the last two games,” she said.
“This week we’re expecting everyone to be available which will be good, and will allow us to see some different combinations.”
