They may not have returned with medals around their necks, but Goulburn Valley’s netball coterie can hold its head aloft in the wake of a top showing at the national championships.
The region had representatives in each of Victoria’s 17-and-under and 19-and-under grades, with both falling in the respective bronze medal matches to seal fourth place finishes.
Rochester goaler Teal Hocking had a noteworthy tournament under the tutelage of Shepparton mentor Jacinta Todd in the older age group, but the side was pipped at the post in the third and fourth playoff by Netball NSW 37-36.
Meanwhile, Bears A-grade coach Tracey Brereton steered the 17-and-under team – which featured Shepparton United’s Mackenzie O’Dwyer and Shepparton Swans’ Harriet Gall – to a similar stage, coming up short of a podium spot after Netball Western Australia claimed a 33-25 victory.
Given the frenetic nature of the tournament held on April 11-16, Brereton reserved congratulations for her young brigade in the way they carried themselves in Darwin.
“I was extremely happy with how the girls performed; Victoria’s got an extra layer of preparing their athletes just because we’ve had extra time out of netball than other states due to COVID,” she said.
“We missed a lot of netball, and these girls in this team missed those critical times at 13, 14, 15 years of age, those development years.
“It’s a lot of netball (at the nationals), but when you break it down it only adds up to so many games of netball for the week … but it’s just the physical and mental toll it takes on you.
“We do try to prep our girls as much as possible leading into it by doing simulation weekends where you have to back up and do multiple games, but I don’t think until you actually get there, do you really know exactly what it’s all about and how you’re going to get on.”
Brereton’s charges began with a bang in the round opener, beating WA 31-26 before going on to pick up the scalps of Northern Territory, ACT, South Australia and Tasmania.
Only Queensland had the better of Gall, O’Dwyer and co in the round matches, while the side also drew 40-40 with NSW.
However, a semi-final loss to the latter landed Victoria in the bronze medal match and the eventual eight-goal defeat took a touch of shine off what was a memorable week for the local group.
“We only lost one game and drew one for the rounds and we only finished in third spot due to our goal difference – we could’ve finished second,” Brereton said.
“I was a bit disappointed we didn’t finish off and capitalise on that week that we had; it would’ve been nice for the girls to walk away with a bronze because that’s probably what they deserved.
“Unfortunately, you’ve still got to play the game and we just didn’t get the job done.”
Brereton also spoke highly about how Gall and O’Dwyer performed as a pair.
“I was pretty proud in the way they represented this area; they had a great week,” she said.
“They got a good run and had some good match time, and they certainly showed they can stand up in that environment.”
Meanwhile, Hocking and the 19-and-under side bounced back from a three-game losing streak after winning the first match to finish third on the ladder.
Victoria also couldn’t convert in the two big games, but the experience is sure to greatly benefit the Rochester attacker in what could be her breakout year on the court.