TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
PROFILE
DESPITE finishing 10th on the ladder last season, Tooleybuc-Manangatang are starting the new year with an optimistic attitude, with their eye on being one of the final five teams.
The Saints didn’t have the best 2023, only managing to get two wins and one draw – highlights being a 13-goal win against Cohuna in round 6, a 41-goal win against Koondrook-Barham in round 10, and a 48-all draw against Tyntynder in the last round.
But after a mass exodus at the end of 2022, coach Melanie Wait viewed last year as a development year, taking the time to build on the new combinations found all over the court.
“I think just in the 12 months, to consolidate all the hard work that we have already done, I think will see us make big gains,” Wait said.
“We’ve had 12 months, had the experience, they are no longer overawed, they are ready and up for the challenge.”
Returning to the court for the Saints this year will be defenders Taylah Morris and Olivia Fowler, while best and fairest Summer Blachford will be in the goal circle once again. They will have pocket rocket Jayda Plant running through the midcourt.
The Saints will also have Laura Grant returning from maternity leave, bringing plenty of experience, class and athleticism to their defence end.
Grant will be a tremendous asset for the younger members of the team, able to be a leader on the court and give them guidance when needed.
Plant and Fowler will both be playing two games a week, as they both still qualify for under-17s.
However, this is nothing new for the youngsters, who filled in quite often in A Grade last season, and Wait believed they would rise to the challenge.
“I think this will be really exciting to see how they go now that they are experienced, and they are starting to grow and develop as a netballers in their own right,” Wait said.
“Jayda and Liv have just had really strong performances at the state titles, so they are coming off some good netball already, and they are ready to start the year strong.”
Wait said that overall, she was excited to be back working with a great group of girls again, and keen to see what 2024 has in store for the Saints.
“We’ve got plenty of numbers and depth in our senior netball, and we’ve just been doing a fair bit of work on general skills and consistency across the four grades, as well as expectation and skills,” she said.
FROM THE COACH
“I would like to think that we will be a finalist team. I think that we have got some really good depth, and we will work really hard – that will be our goal.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Jayda Plant: Despite being one of the youngest in the team, Plant plays a pivotal role in the Saints’ midcourt. She is energetic and agile, often able to run out her opponents with her quick bursts up and down the court.
INS & OUTS
INS: Laura Grant.
OUTS: None.
