There is genuine cause for optimism at Barwon Heads with its young A Grade netball side finishing the season strongly.
The Seagulls pushed undefeated Ocean Grove to within six goals (43 to 49) at Howard Harmer Oval courts on Saturday and, at times, looked genuinely capable of a massive upset.
Despite sitting at a modest 8th spot on the ladder with just three wins, Barwon Heads has actually improved as the season has progressed.
Co-coach Ebony Evans said she was proud of her team for continuing to turn up and play well each week.
“Matching it to the top team and only losing by six is definitely a win for us,” she said.
“I think this year, (co-coach) Jordi (Okley) and I taking the reins, we started out really getting the buy-in from girls. That was our biggest goal that we needed people committed and we needed people that wanted to perform and be here.
“I think we also discovered our consistency and in our players that played in their positions and performed with a lot more confidence. Just having consistent game time together has really just built their performance.”
Pocket rocket goaler Krystal Baker is having a terrific season and caused the Ocean Grove defence plenty of headaches on Saturday.
“She does mountains of work in attack,” Evans said.
“Jordan and I as coaches always make comments that she’s working incredibly hard all the time. Her smarts and her brain and how she sets up that ring is just incredible for someone that is so young.
“She hasn’t had a lot of high-level experience, but she’s a super talent and her goal accuracy has really come a long way from last year as well.”
The Seagulls’ run home is favourable and could yield a few wins to round off the season. They face Anglesea (9th), Newcomb (5th), Modewarre (10th) and Drysdale (7th).
“Given how we’ve done against those top sides, I think even Newcomb’s a really matchable game for us,” Evans said.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to match it with them again. We’ve worked all those girls in the team and they have worked incredibly hard and I think they are so deserving of having some wins on the board.”
Ocean Grove coach Mel Holmes was impressed with her cross-river rivals.
“They’re a young team and if they can stick together, I think they’re going to be alright,” she said.
The Grubbers have some injury concerns with captain Emily Moroney and defender Amanda O’Malley both missing the game while defender Kelsey Ollis and goaler Arlee Bennett suffered relatively minor injuries during the game. Ashton O’Brien and Zanna Woods have both missed chunks of the season.
Ocean Grove faces a tough run home, especially in the final two rounds, with Newcomb (5th), Drysdale (7th), Geelong Amateur (2nd) and Torquay (3rd) still to come, but Holmes is welcoming the challenge.
“I’m happy to have that run home,” she said.
“We’re not looking too far ahead. The position we’re in compared to last year when we were chasing and the underdog and this year is slightly different.
“But our approach is still to win. It’s a good position to be in and we deserve to be there, but we’ve got work to do.”
