HAMPDEN Football Netball League has released its open side for the LOUD championships next Sunday, June 20. The team is dominated by Warrnambool players, with six of the Blues’ regular senior players making the cut. They include shooters Darcy Saunders, Sarah Hearn and Danielle McLeod, defenders Emma O’Keeffe and Kasey Owen and mid-court veteran Jacqui Bowman. Warrnambool goaler Marissa Chapman, who has been playing mostly for the Blues’ A1 team, was also picked. Joining them are seasoned Koroit trio Kate Dobson, Kate Foster and Stacey O’Sullivan and South Warrnambool midcourter Meleita Finnigan. Blues coach Lorraine English will lead the side. All players bar Finnigan will be on show at Reid Oval tomorrow, when Warrnambool aims for a season double against the Saints. Also heading to next Sunday’s finals at the State Netball Hockey Centre are Hampden’s 17 and under, 15 and under and 13 and under teams.
CAMPERDOWN netball export Sarah Wall went under the knife yesterday afternoon after suffering her season-ending knee injury almost a fortnight ago. Wall was tossing up between a traditional knee reconstruction or the LARS method, which is seen as a quick-fix. The Queensland Firebirds netballer opted for the former. “I had an appointment with doctor David Young who went through the process and I told him that I wanted to be back by December. (The knee reco) was the smarter thing to do,” she said. Wall will have her anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed using double-bundle hamstring tendons. She said it was a technique which has been successful for other elite athletes. As her movement will be limited for the next fortnight, she expects to begin her rehabilitation in about two weeks. Until then she will be tuned into the television to see if her Firebirds are able to advance to their maiden finals appearance in the Trans-Tasman Championship. Wall said she was grateful for all the support she has received since her injury from the likes of Netball Queensland, the Melbourne Vixens’ medical staff and her family.
LAST Saturday’s Warrnambool and District senior round was a tipster’s nightmare. Based on previous form, there were several shocking results, including Dennington defeating Timboon Demons, Old Collegians overcoming Allansford, South Rovers beating Panmure and Kolora-Noorat rolling Russells Creek. Strangely the round of upsets followed on from The Standard’s mid-season report cards. Perhaps sides felt they had something to prove? It will be interesting to see if there are any surprising results after Hampden League’s mid-season report cards, which will be published next week.
WESTERN Border Netball Association is sending three teams to the South Australian Country Championships in Adelaide this weekend. The association, which has a break round for its home-and-away matches, will be represented by B grade, 17 and under, 15 and under and 13 and under sides. Jody Roth will take charge of the 17s, Rose Wombwell the 15s and Leanne Outtram the 13s. The B grade coach is Linda Boylan.
NORTH Warrnambool Eagles’ strong junior program over several years was highlighted on Saturday when three juniors hit the court for the blue and gold’s seniors. They joined 17 and under shooter Eliza Dwyer, who has become a regular in the senior side. Eagles co-coach Angela Jellie said while it was disappointing that niggling injuries to North’s more seasoned netballers forced them off the court, the club was pleased to give their up-and-coming talent a run in the top grade. Indi Morrison, who plays 17 and unders, started on the court at wing defence while young dynamo Annie Blackburn came on just before half-time at wing attack. Annie’s 15 and under teammate Skye Billings stuck on the goal attack bib for the last quarter against Koroit, which triumphed by 19 goals.
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