PROFILE
AFTER just missing the finals and with an influx of talent, NNW United are hoping this is the year they finally see September action.
After spending many years wedded to the bottom rungs of the A Grade ladder, the Demons finally rose to greater heights last season – finishing sixth and just a game and a half outside the top five. But while the green shoots were certainly starting to grow 12 months ago, the challenge that’s ahead for NNW United is to continue that development and play in the finals for the first time in recent memory.
While Laura Anderson will spend her second season in charge of the Demons, she will have to do it from the sidelines and not on the court – with defender Zoe Gray, another of the United’s 2022 A Grade squad, not playing this year.
While their absences will be sorely felt, the Demons have ready-made replacements, with familiar faces Aleesha Flanagan and Madison Jones returning to play in defence and midcourt respectively. While Flanagan and Jones’ return to United will be well received, they won’t be the biggest coup for the red and blue, with former Tooleybuc-Manangatang defender Taylen Blachford crossing over this season.
While acknowledging there was plenty of work still to do, Anderson was hoping her Demons would be well placed ahead of the new year, with an air of confidence from her squad across the pre-season that has been missing in recent years.
“We’ll be pretty strong in defence with Taylen, Aleesha and Matika (Mitchell) down there – there’s been plenty of competition for spots, not just with our defenders, but right throughout our squad this pre-season,” Anderson said.
“Versatility will be a strength of ours this year as well – most of the girls can play three different positions, which will be handy for us when it comes to match-ups each week, as well as throwing something different to our opposition that they aren’t expecting.
“The disappointment of missing finals will also be a bit of a driving force for us this season.
“I think last year kind of shocked the girls at what they could achieve and I think the playing group have certainly found a bit of hunger over the pre-season to not be happy with that.”
Reigning club best and fairest Matika Mitchell will return, along with midcourt runner Shania Decker. Also returning for another season at Nyah will be goalies Denise Snyder and Bridie Curran – with their developing combination of youth and experience impressing their coach ahead of a massive season for the Demons.
“Last year was a bit of a shock for Bridie playing in goals – she’d never played anywhere but defence, but we needed a goalie so we threw her in the deep end and she passed with flying colours,” Anderson said.
“She’s a lot more confident now and has grown heaps as a player, and even though she’s still only young, I felt she matured a lot across the course of last season.
“Her partnership with Denise, who is an absolute star, has definitely started to grow into a really strong pairing for us and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can produce together this season.”
FROM THE COACH
“We’ll be pushing to make finals. Finishing a game outside the top five last year was disappointing, but we feel with an improved side again that we should be aiming to at least play finals.”
KEY PLAYER
Matika Mitchell
Mitchell was a star last season – her first in Demons colours – with the attacking defender winning NNW United’s A Grade best and fairest as a result. Her partnership with recruit Taylen Blachford will hold the key to United’s hopes of playing finals this season.
INS & OUTS
INS
Taylen Blachford (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
Aleesha Flanagan (Pyramid Hill)
Madison Jones (Returning)
OUTS
Laura Anderson
Zoe Gray
