HAMILTON Kangaroos’ breakthrough A grade netball win was like winning a grand final for the club’s inaugural captain Amanda Huf.
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Huf, one of two players remaining from the club’s winless Hampden league debut last season, yesterday said the maiden victory at its 19th attempt was a relief.
“All the hard work finally paid off,” she said of her side’s 28-goal win over Cobden.
“It was like we had won a mini grand final for me and Ally Feely, who were the only remaining players.
“It was a long year last year without having a win.”
The 25-year-old said the Kangaroos entered last Saturday’s season-opening match confident.
“We felt we had more pressure on us last year because it was in the media all the time up here that we were so close yet so far. It didn’t feel like we had any extra pressure, we were ready to go and thinking ‘it’s our time’.”
The key defender said she and her teammates had enjoyed the moment.
“Any win is a good win and being the first, it was pretty exciting.”
The Kangaroos won’t have much time to bask in their glory. They host competition powerhouse Koroit on Sunday.
The Saints, after winning three consecutive premierships, were denied an undefeated season in 2013 with a grand final loss to the North Warrnambool Eagles.
“It’s a good time to play Koroit, we will know where we are at and what we’ve got to work on,” Huf said.
“It’s good to have the game to test us and see what areas we need to work on. Everyone is pretty keen to play this game and see where we are at against a powerhouse.”
Huf said the Kangaroos’ new-look line-up could only improve from last Saturday’s first outing.
“There is definitely more to come, we are still finding our feet a little because we have got girls coming in from minor leagues and others coming back from having babies and retirement.”
Huf has handed the captaincy over to goal shooter Kelsey Lewis this season and expects her role will remain as goal keeper.