The midway point of another year of Hampden league netball has come and gone with the opening half of the season providing plenty of drama and a mixture of results.
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After 10 rounds The Standard's Sean Hardeman has looked at the performances so far of every Hampden league club and rated how he thinks the 10 teams have started 2019.
Camperdown
Current position: Seventh - four wins, six losses
Goals for: 399
Goals against: 401
Mark: C
Comment: It has been an up and down start to Brooke Richardson's time as open coach at the Magpies' nest but there have been plenty of positive results to see her side right in the mix.
The Magpies are finding the right combinations and building form towards the back end of the season.
But they must find a way to score some upsets if they want to make a return to finals.
Cobden
Current position: First - 10 wins, zero losses
Goals for: 570
Goals against: 374
Mark: A
Comment: The Bombers are the first team since Koroit's dominant 2017 premiership-winning season to reach the 10-game mark undefeated.
The Bombers have all the answers to the chasing pack but it's about sustainability for Mel Starr's side as it chases an elusive open grade premiership.
If the Bombers keep all their stars on the court they will continue to be a very hard team to beat.
READ MORE: How to take down the high-flying Bombers
Hamilton Kangaroos
Current position: Ninth - one win, nine losses
Goals for: 370
Goals against: 590
Mark: D
Comment: Wins have been few and far between for the Kangaroos this season.
The main thing on the mind of coach Kelsey Lewis will be to sort out her side's defence, which has leaked the second most goals.
Sorting that issue out will bring the scoring output up as well. If the Kangaroos can find the formula to defend teams and score from the turnovers they will go a long way to winning more games this year.
Koroit
Current position: Third - eight wins, two losses
Goals for: 485
Goals against: 401
Mark: A
Comment: With some big names departing in the off-season the Saints have found impressive replacements in their young brigade to help them remain one of the teams to beat.
Coach Stacey O'Sullivan would be pleased with how her side has started but she will also have the drive to keep the fire burning within her players to go deep into another finals campaign.
This side still has what it takes to be considered a premiership favourite but form and a healthy list will determine its final placing.
READ MORE: Injury halts midwife's fledgling career
North Warrnambool Eagles
Current position: Second - eight wins, two losses
Goals for: 505
Goals against: 391
Mark: A
Comment: Jaime Barr's Eagles have what it take to be serious premiership contenders.
With the Billings sisters at each end of the court and a settled line up, they could be on the brink of rising to the top step once again this year.
But first they have to find a way to beat two old foes - Cobden and Koroit - who have had their measure in the opening 10 rounds.
Port Fairy
Current position: Eighth - four wins, six losses
Goals for: 336
Goals against: 371
Mark: C
Comment: Scoring has been the Seagulls' main issue in 2019 while its defence has held strong.
Coach Rhiannon Cuomo will be eager to find a goalie combination, after trying five different players through the shooting circle, to give her side a boost heading into the back end of the season.
This will be a key area if they want to make it back into September action.
Portland
Current position: 10th - zero wins, 10 losses
Goals for: 414
Goals against: 617
Mark: D
Comment: The young Tigers have struggled to get the wins on the board but they are capable of scoring.
They have the seventh-highest goals for this season but their defence is one of the worst.
That is the area coach Lauren Hockley can address to help the Tigers get their first four points on the board and possibly more later in the year.
South Warrnambool
Current position: Sixth - four wins, six losses
Goals for: 435
Goals against: 427
Mark: B
Comment: The young Roosters have shown they are well ahead in their progression.
They have shown they can match it with the teams above them and are capable of fighting for a top-five spot.
Lapses in games are costing them at this stage. Improve this area and watch the wins flow in.
READ MORE: Arthritis halts teen's budding state career
Terang Mortlake
Current position: Fifth - five wins, five losses
Goals for: 432
Goals against: 409
Mark: A
Comment: From second last to right into the mix for a finals berth. It has been a big turnaround for the Bloods and their second-year coach Lisa Arundell.
The question is can they sustain their fight for the remainder of the year? Early signs say they can.
READ MORE: 'We're in the mix now': Bloods push Bombers
Warrnambool
Current position: Fourth - six wins, four losses
Goals for: 466
Goals against: 431
Mark: B
Comment: The Blues have been thereabouts but there is plenty of potential for them to improve.
They have the capability and personnel to be a top-three team and are not too far away from the likes of Koroit and North Warrnambool Eagles but they need to win every game to give themselves a big chance of a higher finish.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
