PROFILE
FOLLOWING a substandard performance last season, Tyntynder hope a former premiership coach has the answers needed to climb the ladder in 2023.
Teagan Lawry, premiership coach from 2018, returns for her second stint as leader of the Dogs, with a clear mandate to turn the once perennial finalists fortunes around – and also bring through the next generation.
After just four wins and a ninth-place finish last season, Tyntynder will certainly be coming from a long way back – but for Lawry, season 2023 will be about taking small steps forward and creating a competitive culture that breeds success.
“We really want to build as a senior group – we dropped away a little bit last year I thought and we’ll be working hard this year to get back to where we belong,” Lawry said.
“We’ll keep blooding our juniors, because we have some really good kids coming through the ranks as well and I’m looking forward to working with them.
“I’m very much about working together as a squad, I’ve always liked to give everyone an opportunity to prove themselves.
“Nobody ever has their position right from the start and everyone has to earn their spot – everyone gets an equal opportunity and if they’re good enough to play, then they get a crack.
“It’s the same going back the other way in that if you’re not performing well, you don’t just get handed games.”
It won’t be just the coach where the Doggies have seen change, with the A squad roster also undergoing an off-season overhaul.
Familiar faces Monica Ellis and Kelsey Rowe will return, while Elvie Kelly-Britten will also be back at her junior club.
The news isn’t all good for Tyntynder however, with defender Maddy Gleeson departing for Lake Boga and midcourt runner Caitlin Bartalotta also not returning, along with injured goalie Tess Denham.
Rowe’s return couldn’t be timed any better after the loss of Denham, with the dual premiership-winning goal attack the perfect partner for fellow goalie Sarah Hawley.
Ellis and Kelly-Britten will find their place in the Bulldogs midcourt, along with Toni Rivett and Demi Wall who is expected to be available later in the home-and-away season.
Gleeson will be the hardest loss to cover however for Tyntynder, with her defensive smarts going to be sorely missed. Her departure is also set to put Nicola Miliano under some pressure in defence – with Miliano likely to be a permanent fixture in the GK bib this season.
With so many changes in personnel from last season to this, Lawry will be leaning on a couple of her leaders on each line to help drive the team’s standards.
“I’ve been blown away by how mature both Nicola (Miliano) and Toni (Rivett) are to be honest,” Lawry said.
“Their presence on court and their voice is absolutely imperative for us to play well, and I’ll be looking for both of them to really step up as leaders this season.
“‘Kels’ (Rowe) provides a fair bit of spark in our attack end and while she might be small in stature, she’s so smart and uses the ball so well and will be so important to our structure.
“We’re not going to be very tall, so we’ll have to use our game smarts and our speed to move the ball quickly and catch our opposition on the hop a little bit.”
FROM THE COACH
“We’re just really hoping to build on last year, getting a few familiar faces back will hopefully help get some more wins on the board.”
KEY PLAYER Kelsey Rowe
THE A Grade premiership goalie from 2017-18 returns to the Doggies this season, with her energy and game smarts in attack a welcome addition. Rowe will be Tyntynder’s barometer this season and is not only supremely skilled, but also one of the best movers around the court.
INS & OUTS
INS
Kelsey Rowe
Monica Ellis
Elvie Kelly-Britten
Nicole Featherby
OUTS
Maddy Gleeson (Lake Boga)
Milly Op’t Hoog (Finley)
Caitlin Bartalotta
Tess Denham
