MARONG are set to field four senior graded teams, three juniors plus minis this season with a focus on training ahead of another season.
A grade coach Bianca Garton said everyone is just “enjoying being back together as group so we can play some great netball again”.
“There is certainly fire in our bellies to play finals,” Garton said.
“We would love to be able to play a full season and see all teams makes finals again, and actually be able to play them this year.
“We just completed trials and have started preseason Tuesday and Thursday. It includes a variety of fitness sessions, bonding, ball skills and three practice matches.”
Last year, all netball and football grades, both senior and junior, finished in the top five, something that has never happened at Marong before, so the team are certainly hoping to repeat that success.
A-Grade played only 10 games, with five wins and five losses.
They finished fourth on the ladder and would have played in finals for the first time in 10 years but unfortunately, due to COVID-19, finals were delayed and then cancelled.
“We had a very interrupted 2021 season; aside from COVID, we also had two season-ending ACL injuries in the A-Grade,” Garton said.
“However, we continued to readjust playing positions, and worked hard at trainings to still finish fourth on the ladder.
“Our focus was to improve the win-loss ratio from 2019 and finish in the top five which we achieved, so I was very proud of the team.”
Beyond Garton, Alisha Pickering will be coaching B -Grade, Renee McCaig will be coaching C-Grade, and Georgie McGrath and Caitlin O’Hara will be coaching C-Reserve.
The A and B squad has retained all but one player, and have also added skilled players Tamera Gribben, Bridget Willox, Bridget Jacobs and Kate Horne.
Player to watch:
Kirsty Hamilton was new to the club in 2021 and will line up again in 2022. She had a stellar season last year in the midcourt, but can also play defence.
