Sport
12 April, 2024
Experienced bounce: key pair’s return
WEDDERBURN’S senior netball team was all set to welcome back three 2022 premiership players for the new season, but one has fallen victim to an ACL injury suffered in a practice game. Sophie Taylor was one of a trio of premiership stars planning...
WEDDERBURN’S senior netball team was all set to welcome back three 2022 premiership players for the new season, but one has fallen victim to an ACL injury suffered in a practice game.
Sophie Taylor was one of a trio of premiership stars planning to return after having had babies following the 2022 season, but she damaged her knee and will be sidelined for all of 2024.
Fortunately, Madison Postle and Meg Lowry will return to the court after their absences – remarkably Lowry returned six weeks after giving birth to a daughter to play a few quarters last season.
Playing coach Emma Lockhart said Wedderburn was looking to bounce back after missing the 2023 grand final and finishing third in the North Central competition.
The Redbacks lost to eventual premiers Nullawil by a single goal after leading by six goals during the final quarter.
“We’re looking really good,” Lockhart said of the team’s pre-season. “It’s exciting to see what we can do.”
Although admitting she hasn’t “heard much gossip” on how opposing clubs have fared during the off-season, she expects Nullawil to again be a strong contender for the title this year.
Like her football counterparts. Lockhart’s team will play its first two home games away from Donaldson Park as the club’s clubrooms are renovated.
“I don’t see it as an issue,” she said. “Footy ovals can be different sizes, but netball courts are a standard size, so it doesn’t really matter if you’re home or away.
The Redbacks play St Arnaud in round one. “Hopefully we can have a good win,” Lockhart said.