With an influx of talent and another year under the guidance of coach Georgia Anderson, the Cohuna Kangas are perfectly placed to end their finals drought once and for all in 2025.
After starting last year as one of the in-form clubs, the Kangas’ form deserted them in the last month of the season, with losses to the Mallee Eagles, Tooleybuc-Manangatang, Swan Hill and NNW United seeing them eventually fall from the five in the final home and away round.
Despite missing the finals, Cohuna should go into the new season full of confidence with the knowledge gained from getting so close and the experience of playing competitive netball against some of the Central Murray’s better teams.
That confidence is evident after speaking with Anderson, with the Kangas’ second year coach ensuring her team has a clear path to success after a strong pre-season.
“In the first half of last season we were running off adrenaline. It was exciting and we were playing really good netball,” Anderson said.
“But you need stamina for a full season, not just stamina per game and last year showed that when you get halfway through a season, that’s when you have to take it up another gear.
“How do we change ourselves and kick it up another gear to get better with our intensity?
“It’s can be hard through winter, but last year, halfway through, that was where we felt we weren’t really improving in our game.
“But we’ve experienced it now and we know what to do and I know our group will be much better for that experience.
“We’ve had a strong pre-season, there was an expectation for everyone to focus on themselves and come back fit, which they did, and we’re looking so much better with our skills than this time last year.”
Although Cohuna have lost both Ebony and Maddy Black, along with Delainey Holmes, it’s fair to say the additions to their playing list has given them cause for optimism.
Danielle Bird (nee Sawyer) returns and will add to the Kangas’ defensive third, while former Kerang shooter Carla Walker will be the perfect replacement for Holmes.
But perhaps the biggest inclusion for Cohuna will be that of former Echuca United coach and premiership player Tanner Edwards, according to Anderson.
“She (Edwards) is a really strong midcourter, she’s strong through the centre and will be a huge addition for us,” Anderson said.
“She’s also got coaching experience, as does Carly (Geary), Dani (Sawyer) and Carla (Walker), so we’re going to be a team full of on-court expertise.
“I love player-led teams. I find them very successful when the players are doing it for themselves and not relying on the coach all the time.
“We’re looking very fast-paced and we’re really experienced across the court. We have girls who have been in the game for a long time, but they’re still coupled with our young girls too, like Marli Easton and Taylor Hird, who just bring so much excitement.
“We have a really good mix on the court of experienced players, and really skillful players, and our young ones that are just eating that up.
“I look at our playing group and I feel excited.”
With Bird back in the line-up and Easton continuing to develop, Anderson also has the ability to play her trump card in Carly Geary at either end of the court, giving Cohuna flexibility come game day.
Taylor Hird will also be a key player through the midcourt after her breakout season last year, with Anderson hoping an injection of speed will give her team a better balance between defence and attack.
“We’re looking fast and skillful with how we’re moving the ball throughout training,” Anderson said.
“With Carly (Geary) and Ebony Black last year, our defence was probably our strength.
“I felt at times we were a bit more consistent in our defence and even our attackers, they too were probably falling into defensive modes at times.
“The challenge will be to have that balance, which I think with the additions to our squad will hold us in good stead.”
COHUNA KANGAS FAST FACTS
JOINED LEAGUE – 1997
COURTS – Cohuna Recreation Reserve
PREMIERSHIPS – None
A GRADE COACH – Georgia Anderson
2024 LADDER POSITION – 6th
2024 BEST & FAIREST – Carly Geary
FROM THE COACH
“A non-negotiable for me is playing finals. That’s what we play for and with our new recruits and retaining the players who we have, I feel we are definitely capable of finishing in the top five. We’re keen to play some seriously good netball and we’ll aim to settle the team a lot earlier this year than we did last year which should also help in that regard.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Carly Geary
Had an immediate impact on the Kangas in what was her first season at the club last year and was a key factor in their rise up the ladder. Can play at either end of the court and despite being used primarily in defence, played some brilliant games in attack in the second half of last season. Won Cohuna’s A grade best and fairest last year and will need to produce a similar vein of form if the Kangas are to break their finals drought once and for all.
IN’S
Tanner Edwards (Echuca United)
Carla Walker (Kerang)
Danielle Bird
OUT’S
Maddy Black (Kerang)
Ebony Black
Delainey Holmes
