By Justin Flynn
Lara netball coach Chris Camilleri hopes that his side can transition from playing well in patches to putting it together for four quarters in the coming seasons.
The Cats won their third game for the year on Saturday, defeating Grovedale by four goals.
Camilleri said it has been difficult to field a full side this season with injuries and unavailability, but hoped that would change.
“This season’s been a bit of a rebuild compared to last season,” he said.
“It’s been a bumpy season. And to get some stability…being quite hard just with personnel. So it’s coming in patches. We had a great start against South Barwon last week, seventeen goals down at half time, but then sort of capitulated after that.
“So we’re showing patches. Against St Joseph’s a month ago, we lost the first half by nineteen goals and only lost the second half by three. They’re showing that they are equal to the top teams in patches, but it’s just the top teams that manage to do that for four quarters. So we’re definitely rebuilding the team with a few younger girls who have come up from B Grade this year into A Grade.
“We’d prefer more wins, but it’s coming along bit by bit and we’re trying to rebuild over this year and probably next year also.”
Lara had the game on its own terms for much of the first three quarters on Saturday, but Grovedale came back in the final term.
Kaleisha McKerron came up from B Grade to cover for injury and played well on star Tiger shooter Esther Kidmas.
“We got through in the end, it wasn’t the greatest finish but managed to get a win on the board,” Camilleri said.
“I think it was more mental fatigue which affected their decision making. A few poor passing options and just getting away from the game plan and the other team with the height advantage with their shooter.”
While finals are out of the equation, Lara faces Bell Park (7th), Geelong West (4th), St Joseph’s (1st) and St Albans (10th) in the run home.
“I’m hoping we can pull off at least another two (wins), that would be great,” Camilleri said.
“Obviously we’re not playing finals, but that would be good if we can just get that consistency.”
