COACHES commend desperation for the ball.
It was a trait two Camperdown 15 and under players possessed on Saturday (May 9) but it didn't result in praise from coach Tanya Howard.
Caitlin Hickey and Kelsey O'Neil both went for the ball in the midcourt against Cobden last weekend - acts which saw the teenagers collide and then tumble off the court in front of the Bombers' bench.
An ambulance was called to Cobden Recreation Reserve after Kelsey received a heavy knock to her cheek while Caitlin was concussed.
The pair went to hospital, where Caitlin stayed for about four hours.
Kelsey had X-Rays on Monday which cleared her of a suspected fractured cheekbone.
The Magpies had training last night, with the pair - one who was still feeling flat and the other who was nursing a nasty black eye - seeing how they went before they decided whether to suit up tomorrow against Port Fairy.
Caitlin also has to weigh up whether she is able to play for Hampden League in the WM LOUD Association Championships on Sunday.
FRAN Bell told her Russells Creek B grade teammates she was retiring in 2007.
"We lost the final by one goal and I said to them there and then 'I'm 43 - I'm finishing','' she said.
Fast forward a year-and-a-half and she is still pulling on her bodysuit.
"(At the start of last year) I said 'Let's just have another crack','' she said. "I started as the 13th player and ended up playing in the (winning) grand final.''
After the premiership, the shooter was stranded on 96 matches with the Kangaroos.
Being just four games of a century, she decided to notch up her 100th this season - a feat which was be reached on Saturday when Creek hosted Nirranda.
"I've just been playing a quarter here and there,'' the 44-year-old said. "We've got so many girls in the team so I don't want to be taking court time off them.''
She is unsure whether she will be a permanent player after the weekend but is sure to stick around at the club as she is assistant to coach Chris Van Kempen in the B grade, A reserve and seniors while she also takes charge of the 15 and under reserves with Jenna Osborne
Daughters Ashlee and Paige also play for the Kangaroos along with her son Liam.
NORTH Warrnambool Eagles is the best represented club in this year's Hampden League sides, with the club boasting 11 interleague players.
Warrnambool is the next best, with seven netballers set to don the green uniform.
The Eagles have four girls in the 17 and under team, which is exceptionally strong on paper with the likes of North's Maddi Smedts and Laura Blackburn and Warrnambool's Darcy Saunders, who all play seniors on Saturdays.
Jaime Barr will take charge of the side, which also includes Genevieve Darcy (Camperdown), Demi Mounsey (Cobden), Bridget Roache (Koroit), Claire Kelly, Grace Butters (North Warrnambool Eagles), Jenny Walters and Anna Buzolich (Warrnambool).
The girls will be searching for success at Ballarat on Sunday in the WM LOUD Association Championships qualifying tournament.
THE ties between South Warrnambool's senior netballers and the club's junior brigade will be tight in 2009.
The Roosters have initiated a buddy program, which pairs up a senior player with a junior player.
The buddies - who play similar positions - watch at least three of each other's matches during the season, with feedback and tips encouraged.
Last Friday night the club had a buddy session, which included games and a dinner.
Seeing as I'm writing about the program, I'd like to give a shout-out to my buddy Jane McMeel, who shot the lights out against Cobden a fortnight ago.
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