Reigning Geelong Netball League premier Newtown & Chilwell knows it is the hunted this season, but a flawless start to the 2025 campaign has the team primed for consecutive flags.
However, Eagles’ coach Andrew McInerney insists his side is concentrating on the present with an eye to the longer term future.
And that future was on show against Grovedale on Saturday in the form of talented goal shooter Holly Adams-Alcock, who scored 61 of her side’s 97 goals.
Youngsters Eliza Dunell, Emily Jelesic and Sarah McInerney also got court time as the Eagles look to stay in premiership contention well beyond this season.
With on-court leadership in the form of Ruby Pekin-Schlicht, Vanessa Tommasini, Julia Woolley and Danielle Mather, McInerney is hoping his youngsters can all play cameos this season while building themselves up as A Grade regulars in the coming years when the established players do decide to call it a day.
“That’s our model,” McInerney said.
“We’re trying to get to a point where all the young ones can take over from the experienced ones without us having to go backwards.
“They’re not going to go around forever. Danni (Mathers) wanted to retire, but we convinced her to go one more year just to get some more experience into Olivia Powell and to teach the craft of centre. Amy Wirth actually retired, but all of a sudden she’s back because they just want to be around each other and they want to play.
“Tommo (Tommasini) may go around again next year, I’m not sure. Julia (Woolley) I think has probably got a couple of years left, so we’re on the right track.”
McInerney said one of the main reasons why some of the experienced players have stuck around was the culture they have helped to create.
“They love playing with each other and that’s why they’re still there,” he said.
“That’s the reason I’m here. It’s just a great culture. We really pay attention that if someone new wants to come to the club, they kind of have to have the right personality and fit in with everybody else.
“That culture was formed a long time before I was at the club and it just continues today.”
Despite the lopsided scoreline against Grovedale, McInerney said he was pleased that his side didn’t ease off.
“What pleased me most was our consistency and just the team’s willingness to keep the foot put down even though we were well up,” he said.
“We kept our structures and we kept our system and probably the most pleasing thing for me personally, is that we got some young ones on the court and they fitted in pretty seamlessly with some more experienced players.”
Adams-Alcock dominated in the 97 to 30 win.
“That was her first full game in A Grade,” McInerney said.
“And she shot 61 goals. She fitted in seamlessly. Unfortunately, Julia Woolley went down with a bit of a hip problem early in the second quarter, but then that meant that we got Eliza (Dunell) out on the court as well.”
GEELONG West Giants defeated South Barwon by 20 goals as they look to put the disappointment of losing their round one points due to incorrect paperwork behind them. Alahria Smith was dominant in midcourt while Eloise Maddox was good in defence for the Swans.
YOUNG goal shooter Tilly Baker was superb for Lara in a three-goal win against Bell Park. Sharni Van Doren gave fine support at goal attack while defender Makeely Rogers was the Dragons’ best.
DEFENDER Maggie Leahy starred for Leopold in a six-goal win against St Mary’s while Isabelle Grapsas did her best at goal attack for the Saints.
STAR defender Brooke Allen spearheaded St Joseph’s to a 78 to 31 win against Colac.
