THE SWOOP

Round 11 v Daylesford

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NETBALL REPORT

Another chilly day greeted our netballers at Waubra, with some strong performances across the club. A Grade and B Grade both came away with important wins, while our U13B side also celebrated a well-earned victory.

There were plenty of positive signs across all grades, with players continuing to build confidence, improve combinations and develop their game. While the results didn't all fall our way, the effort and commitment shown throughout the day was encouraging as we head into the business end of the season.

This week we return home to take on Daylesford in what promises to be one of our toughest challenges of the year. They are a polished, well-drilled netball cohort and we'll need to be at our best across every grade.

Unfortunately, our A Grade side will also be without two key defenders for the remainder of the season due to injury, making the challenge even greater. We'd love to see plenty of black and white around the court on Saturday to give our teams an extra lift.

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FOOTBALL REPORT

It was a dirty day at Waubra last weekend. The ground was heavy, the wind was freezing and the scoreboard was against us in every game played. The Seniors played two decent quarters and two poor quarters to be beaten by 21 points while the Reserves were within a goal at the last change but could not finish the job. The U/18s were in front at each change but were overrun in the fourth quarter to lose by seven points but it has been great to see their development and the continual recruiting process has resulted in the club now having a full squad to pick from each week. Great job by the boys to keep hassling their mates into joining our club. The U/15s were undermanned and fought out their game well with several U/12 lads backing up. Even when we are not getting the results we want there’s always bright moments in a day at the football and netball. When asked how the U/12s went, Percy Clark told me they lost by five goals and only kicked one point but was quick to tell me that it was him who kicked the point. Percy made me laugh with how pleased he was to kick the Clunes score. You never know where the next bright moment will come from.

Huge challenge for the Seniors this weekend with Daylesford arriving with an eight match winning streak in their back pocket. Last season the Bulldogs found the narrow confines of the Bull Milgate Oval were not to their liking and were made to work hard for their 15 point victory only six weeks before they played in a Grand Final. Our lads know they can put pressure on Daylesford and interrupt their game style and will be looking to drag them into a tougher match than they perhaps want. After last week’s disappointing result, the Clunes lads will be fired up for a statement win to get us back into finals contention.

Eleventh hosts eighth in the Reserves so we are also looking to upset a team higher on the ladder in this grade. Former coach Ash Anderson joins an elite group at the club with his 150^th open age game for the club so expect to see a team motivated to play well for their highly respected teammate. The 18s have a full squad and will be raring to go in a winnable game. School holidays impact our 15s squad as the Wesley College cohort are unavailable but it remains a game we can approach positively while our 12s again get the opportunity to show their steady improvement against an opposition that looks to have had similar results to our kids.

Senior Player I’m looking forward to watching this week: The skipper returned to the team last weekend after missing the win against Hepburn due to injury. Josh Thompson leads our backline each week with his mix of intercept marking, vocal direction and desire to turn defence into attack. Amongst our best players last week, Daylesford presents JT with another opportunity to display his contested and intercept marking prowess.

Reserves player I’m looking forward to watching this week: Ash Anderson. A past Reserves coach, an unofficial historian for the club, the continuation of the Anderson family connection to the club and the latest club stalwart to join the ranks of those to have played 150 games at senior level. Congrats Ash. Fantastic achievement, wonderful loyalty. Go well. 

Junior player I’m looking forward to watching this week: Duke Twentyman. Most coaches will say that they love their players who just want to play in defence. Many coaches would say the first magnets they put on their board are their regular defenders. Young Duke has told Lach Wrigley and Brandyn Davidson that his preference is to play in the backline and they slot him in there each week. Looking forward to watching Duke ply his trade this Saturday.

Go Maggies!