WHEN it comes to interviews, Queensland Firebirds netballer Sarah Wall is extremely well-spoken and polite. When the Camperdown export spoke to
The Standard earlier this week, the start of the conversation was interrupted by a slight case of road rage. After Wall answered the phone, there was a few blasts of the horn from another driver, which the unflappable Firebird said were aimed at her. Despite the disruption, the delightful Wall kept her cool and continued the conversation. Wall is settled in Brisbane but she still has a sense of home as her mother Marie flies to the Sunny State for all her home games. After the Firebirds’ Monday match against Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, Marie will be flying to Queenlsand for the next two weeks as Wall’s side — which is fighting for a finals spot — has successive home games against Central Pulse and Canterbury Tactix.
HAMPDEN League’s Sunday junior netball competition welcomed more spectators than usual to its matches last Sunday due to the interleague break. Spokeswoman Antonia Balmer said the competition was running smoothly. "Over the last seven weeks it has been amazing to watch the improvement in our 12 and under sides," she said. "It is wonderful to see coaches rotating girls around the court, giving them the opportunity to have a go at different positions on the court." The 14 and under ladder is: Cobden (24 points), Terang Mortlake (24), Koroit (22), Camperdown (22), Emmanuel Hawks (12), North Warrnambool Eagles (12), South Warrnambool (12), Warrnambool (8), Port Fairy (4). Warrnambool and Port Fairy contested a heart-stopper on Sunday. With two seconds left on the clock, the Blues netted a goal to give them the final 12-11 result. In other games, Camperdown overcame North Warrnambool Eagles 18-7 while Koroit was able to edge out Emmanuel Hawks 26-20. Cobden is shaping up as a strong finals contender after defeating South Warrnambool 45-7, with both teams choosing to share goal shooting duties.
EAST Warrnambool shooter Dee Jaynes rates herself a 50-50 chance to play in tomorrow’s match against Allansford. Jaynes suffered a corked thigh in last Saturday’s tussle against Panmure. “I honestly can’t remember what really happened,” she said. “It was a pretty good corky though. The bruising is coming out and it’s slowly getting better. I’ll just to have to see how it pulls up.” Jaynes was confident the undefeated Bombers would be able to cope without her if she was sidelined. “When I came off at half-time last week, everyone just showed so much grit and determination,” she said. “It was good that we were able to swing girls around. It showed our depth and flexibility. If I don’t end up playing, it gives (coach) Kate (Burt) a chance to change things around again. It’s going to be a tough game though. I think Allansford are the quiet achievers.” Last year’s WDFNL A grade runner-up best and fairest admitted it was frustrating sitting on the sidelines. “I was thinking and the last time I was injured was when I was 14, when I sprained my ankle,” Jaynes said.
THE umpire focus week held in the south-west last week was a huge success, according to WDFNL assistant umpire co-ordinator Kaye Hollis. There was testing for C grade badges last Saturday at Walter Oval, with three successful umpires — Jessica Rankin, Polly Matthews and Emily Porra. There were also several mentor workshops held across the region, which were steered by Netball Victoria’s Ann Castles. “Most clubs were represented (at the workshops), which was fantastic,” Hollis said. “It wasn’t about ‘this is right and this is wrong’, it was really focused on preparing people on how to mentor and just giving them an idea of what we look for when badging people.” Hollis was grateful for Castles’ commitment. “We were very fortunate with the time she gave us,” she said. “We’re often short in supply of umpires in every code of sport, so we’re making an effort so we can ensure we have them for the future.”
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