Sport
6 July, 2022
Battle continues for netballers
PLAYER unavailability continues to hamper Terang Mortlake’s Open netball side.
PLAYER unavailability continues to hamper Terang Mortlake’s Open netball side.
Currently sitting ninth on the ladder with just two wins going into round 12, the Bloods have spent the season juggling player unavailability.
Senior coach Sharon Kenna said she had not had the luxury of her usual starting seven since round three.
“We have constantly been juggling player availability as the result of a variety of illnesses and injuries,” Kenna said.
“But on the plus side this has enabled quite a few division one and junior girls to have the opportunity to play in the Open division.
“And that can only be good for their netball moving forward. We need to look at the positives.”
The season began well for the bloods, with wins against Camperdown and Port Fairy in the first two rounds, but the team has endured a string of defeats until tasting victory in round 11 (once again defeating Port Fairy).
“It has certainly been a tough year for us and it’s been difficult to keep team morale up, but we’ve talked about it at length and the players have all done remarkably well given the results and where we’re sitting,” Kenna said.
“Shooter Ebony Knights is a key for us in the goal circle and she has been out for about four weeks with a calf injury, and Emma Lucas has been suffering a wrist injury since we played Portland in round seven.”
The Bloods will face third-placed Koroit this Saturday in what will be another tough round.
And to add to the challenge, Kenna will be at home in isolation after recently contracting COVID.
“Of all games to miss, this is definitely not one I wanted to be stuck at home for,” she said.
“But it is what it is. I’m sure the girls will all put in 110 per cent as they always do and will try their very best. This season has been a tough one on the court but I’m proud of the commitment and the endeavor they have all shown.”
