St Joseph’s coach Riley Richardson said redemption for last year’s Geelong Netball League grand final loss was not in the forefront of his players’ minds.
Joeys lost a tight grand final to Newtown & Chilwell last year, but put four good quarters together to defeat South Barwon, 39 to 27, on Anzac Day.
“We’re not really looking at it as a redemption standpoint,” Richardson said.
“We’re really eager to make sure that we stick to our process during the year and we’re confident that if we work on our game and we try to improve things within our own strategies like combinations and different styles of play, we’re confident that we will get the outcome.”
Still, Richardson was not shying away that the ultimate goal was a flag, even though the process was perhaps more important.
“I think the ultimate success is obviously a premiership, but for us it truly is about process,” he said.
“It’s about creating a culture where you can really foster an environment where players feel confident within themselves. Coaching with Tracy Howard this year, we really share that philosophy that we want our players to feel really empowered to make decisions on court.
“So we want them to feel that on an individual level, we want them to feel that we trust everyone within our team to come out on court and play their role, whether they start on the bench or whether they start on court and we want them learning new things as well. Those are the things that are really important to us and we’re confident that if we can uphold that then each week we will play well and hopefully get our outcome.”
Co-captain Tori Honner was again instrumental against the Swans at goal defence.
“She’s an incredible leader on and off the court,” Richardson said.
“But you do particularly notice that she really coordinates that defensive line up and then leads by example in bringing that ball out of attack.”
Last season Joeys shifted Georgette Paatsch to attack, but the recruitment of Ella Closter from Darley has enabled Paatsch to move back to defence.
Richardson said his team adjusted well to Friday’s wet conditions.
“Adapting to the conditions was probably the biggest thing,” he said.
“And continuing to play our style of game. South always play a really physical game. They challenge the ball really fiercely.
“And I think we made a point if there were penalties to just take them and get on with it. And we managed to put together a really solid lead as a result of that.”
St Joseph’s takes on Bell Park this weekend. The Dragons have won two games and are fresh from a bye.
“We take each week as a new challenge and we’re always eager to put our best netball out there,” Richardson said.
“Bell Park have recruited really well and they’re sort of perennially within reach of finals. So they’re certainly not to be underestimated.”
Geelong West racked up a mammoth 104 goals against St Albans to win by 80. Charlie Hoey was superb in defence for the Giants.
Leopold defeated Colac 68 to 53 with midcourter Darcy Wilson in form while wing attack Amelia Holland and Natalie Heagney (46 goals) were also prominent.
Newtown & Chilwell goalers Mikaela Vaughan and Julia Woolley spearheaded their side’s 62 to 33 win against St Mary’s while Isabelle Grapsas was lively for the Saints.
Grovedale came away from Lara with a 58 to 45 victory. Wing attack Taylar Borg played well and Morgan Byrne was solid in defence. Caitlin Hendricksen was excellent in defence for the Cats.
