PROFILE
AFTER finally tasting that winning feeling, Balranald will be desperate for more when they hit the court as reigning premiers for the first time in their club’s history.
Breaking through for their first A Grade premiership in the Central Murray/Mid-Murray competition last season, the Roos will become the hunted instead of the hunter – especially considering the bulk of their squad are young and developing players.
But while success may be a foreign concept for Balranald’s netballers, so too is expectation – and it’s something the playing group will have to contend with, according to premiership coach Jess Parry.
“The way we finished the season last year, I don’t think that will be good enough for us to go back-to-back,” Parry said.
“We definitely know we have to grow and be a bit more dynamic and diverse, and we need to maintain a fair bit of flexibility within our positions as well.
“We know we can’t just be happy with how we finished last year and expect that will give us the same result this season – we have to change a few things and work harder in a few different areas to improve.
“The self-motivation amongst the team is there, winning Balranald’s first A Grade netball premiership was a pretty big moment for the club and I think a lot of the girls now appreciate just how hard and how long it can take to build up a club to reach that position.”
While the bulk of last year’s squad remains, the Roos have undergone some off-season changes, with the departures of star goal defender Stevie Bibby back to Moulamein, along with depth players Chloe (Woorinen) and Maddi Militto.
As luck would have it, the loss of Bibby will be offset by the return of former star junior Hannah Morton – a like-for-like replacement in the crucial GD position. With Morton only 19 years old, she too will become part of Balranald’s generation next – with Parry adamant her young squad will improve further the longer the season goes.
“I think as a team everyone will lift to another level – but we’ve also got an exciting group, with a lot of young netballers there like Ella Mirtschin, Madison Jess, Bonnie Jolliffe, Hannah Morton and Bree Hodgson,” Parry said.
“They’re all really young girls, but their netball brains are maturing each year and I think across the next five years they’ll all continue to improve, which is a good sign for the future of the club.
“Last year we wanted all seven positions on our team to be strong, so we shuffled our team around at times and got girls in those positions to be confident and playing to their strengths.
“That will be the aim again this year – I think if you want to be a successful team, you can’t necessarily have a weak link hiding anywhere on the court.”
While both Taylin Barry and Jordyn Jolliffe are expected to miss the season with knee injuries, Balranald will still possess experienced heads Elli-Jane Brougham (GK) and Parry (GA) at either end of the court.
With the perfect mix of youth, talent and fitness – as well as finals experience – the Roos are perfectly placed to ensure their second premiership doesn’t take as long to win as their first.
FROM THE COACH
“The ultimate goal for the year is to make the finals and then worry about the rest when we get there. We’ll just take it step by step to start with and aim to make the finals first – but to go back-to-back would be a dream for all of us.”
KEY PLAYER
Jess Parry: Parry confirmed her standing as one of the best players in the competition by winning back-to-back league best and fairests last season. Not only is Parry one of the most dynamic and skilful players going around, but she is also a natural born leader.
INs & OUTs
INs
Hannah Morton (Barwon Heads)
OUTs
Stevie Bibby (Moulamein)
Chloe Militto (Woorinen)
Maddi Militto
