Sport
5 April, 2022
Demons competitive in loss to Merrivale
TIMBOON Demons’ new look side performed well in its first game against Merrivale despite going down 41-45 in its season opener at home on Saturday.
TIMBOON Demons’ new look side performed well in its first game against Merrivale despite going down 41-45 in its season opener at home on Saturday.
For many of the Demons players it was their first experience of A grade netball, as the team retained only one player from last year’s second-placed finish on the ladder.
The Demons were competitive throughout most of the match, trailing by just a handful of goals at the half-time break, but the Tigers’ greater experience shone through in the end as Merrivale took control in the final quarter to record a first-round victory.
Timboon coach Bethany Hallyburton, who shares the role with Carley Hickey, said the team was pleased with its first showing of the season.
“We were really pleased with the game as a whole, it’s the first time many of those girls have had a hit-out in A grade, and we’re really happy with how they went,” she said.
Hallyburton said while many of her players were new to league’s highest level, most of them had plenty of experience playing with each other.
“For our goalies Jaimie Castledine and Macy Gale it was only the second time they’ve had a run together unfortunately, due to COVID and a few other things,” she said.
“They settled in really well, and I think they’ll be a really good duo to watch in future weeks, but the rest of the team have played a lot of A reserve together last year, and you could see that.
“They know how they work, they’re very positive and have a good connection on the court.”
Hallyburton said Timboon’s defence had kept the side in the contest, praising captain Hollie Castledine and her teammate Tessa Poot for their work under the ring.
“Our defensive pressure the whole way down the court was excellent, Tessa and Hollie combined really well,” she said.
“Hollie’s our only remaining A grader from last year, and she’s really stepped up into the captain’s role.
“She led by example on the weekend, getting hands over the ball and picking up a lot of loose things.”
Hallyburton said her side would need to improve on transitions from defence to offence as it looked forward to this week’s game against Russells Creek.
“Merrivale had a bit more drive down the court than we did with their speed and ball movement, and that’s something we’ll need to work on,” she said.
“The transition out of defence into attack is where we got a bit stuck, so that’s something we’ll be looking at in training.”
In other games around the league, Panmure defeated Kolora-Noorat by 54 goals, Old Collegians and Allansford drew 39 apiece, South Rovers won against Russells Creek, and Nirranda beat Dennington 80-23.