TWO top Warrnambool Football Netball Club netballers have walked out on the club in the aftermath of a tough A grade team selection cut.
Cross-town rival South Warrnambool is set to benefit from the fallout as Emily-Rose Finnigan and Holly Greene search for a new home.
The former Blues players attended South Warrnambool's Tuesday night training session earlier this week, after the Warrnambool senior team was revealed last Friday.
New Blues coach Lorraine English was forced to choose nine players from a pool of 22 to field the reigning premier side.
However, Emily-Rose, who captained the flag-winning outfit last season, was left off the list.
The Standard yesterday received two texts-to-the-editor querying the decision.
Both texts expressed confusion at why Emily-Rose was overshadowed by new players to the club.
Holly was also part of last year's victorious senior team and was selected for this year's top side.
She has rallied to be with her good friend Emily-Rose at South Warrnambool.
"We are leaving the club just for something new," she said.
"It's not definitely going to be South, but it probably will be."
Holly said she would miss her netball mentor Jacqui Bowman. "It's very hard, especially with Jacqui," she said. "She's been our coach since the under 15s. It will be different to be apart."
The shock exit has left a hole in Warrnambool's promising junior ranks.
Senior coach English admitted it was disappointing some players had disagreed with her final word.
"It is a private matter between the club and the players," she said.
"But if the players have decided to go to another club, then we wish them all the best."
English moved to Warrnambool after being a Netball Western Australia development manager and Queensland state coach.
The seasoned team selector said unfavourable reactions were just part of the coaching job.
"I've done state team selections before and know how tough it is," she said.
"Every time you make a decision, not everyone will be happy with it."
English also assured the decision was made after strict evaluation of netball performance, rather than personality or playing history.
"It definitely wasn't a personal decision. I don't know these girls well enough yet," she said.
"It was all performance based."
The A grade Blues side now includes Danielle McLeod, Darcy Saunders, Sarah Hearn, Emma Cook, Meleita Finnigan, Jacqui Bowman, Siobhan Sefton and Emma O'Keeffe.
Emily-Rose would not comment, while South Warrnambool coach Leah Kermeen was unreachable.
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