JUST because Merrivale has lost one of its key players doesn't mean South Rovers coach Kylie Carter is approaching tomorrow's preliminary final against her former side any differently. Tigers playing coach Emily Batt suffered a knee injury in the opening two minutes of last week's second semi-final, effectively ruling her out of tomorrow's clash. "I really feel for them," Carter said. "But they're really strong all over the court and don't have a weak link. Ange Collins really stepped up when she came on. They are going to be just as hard even without Emily."
IF you were Emily Batt, how would you feel the day after sustaining a season-ending knee injury so close to finals? Words like shattered, disappointed or frustrated might come to mind, but Batt chose to mention another emotion first. "I'm just tired," she said last Sunday. "I didn't get any sleep because I was up all night on painkillers."
NOT quite as up front as Batt were a group of netballers who were a few hours into their ''Mad Sunday'' last weekend. The Standard called the side's captain and coach, who were seemingly unavailable to speak, but someone else picked up one of their phones. After some encouragement from the group, she pretended to be the coach and through giggles, offered some insights into the match. The stand-in speaker was probably looking forward to waking up on Monday morning and seeing which of her quotes made it into the paper. Sorry, none did.
COBDEN put its artistic skills to good use last week, creating a banner for 350-gamer Kathryn Robertson. The A2 netballer celebrated her milestone in the best possible way. Her side won the minor premiership after eclipsing North Warrnambool Eagles by seven goals while the senior side, which she helps coach, advanced to the finals after an eight-goal victory.
AS of next year, coaching will be allowed during intervals and stoppages. The new rule was trialled in the 2010 trans-Tasman Championship and will be implemented at international level for the remainder of 2010. Netball Australia said introducing the rule at domestic level has been delayed due to the timing of the announcement, which falls during finals. The new rule says that coaching is permitted during any stoppage by any team official who may approach the players at the sideline. Bench players may approach the sideline if coaching occurs. The rule will apply to domestic competitions as of January 1, 2011.
EAST Warrnambool coach Katie Burt told Under The Auld Pump this week how tight-knit the Bombers were. This picture of the reigning premiers illustrates just that, with the side using an injury time in last week's second semi-final to form a small huddle that is usually seen on the football field rather than the netball court.
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