The challenges keep coming for Werribee Centrals in GDFL netball but the champions have so far refused to concede ground to their rivals.
After a number of off-season personnel changes, the Centrals are seemingly at their most vulnerable point since Lina Iuta took over as coach at the start of the 2013 campaign – but it has been business as usual as they sit a game clear on top of the ladder without a blemish.
Iuta is yet to taste a single defeat in two-and-a-bit seasons as A-grade coach, with Saturday’s comfortable 49-35 win over Bannockburn making it six straight wins to start the new season.
“We lost a couple of players and gained some really good players to replace them,” Iuta said.
“We’ve also been able to bring some young players up from the B and C grade and they’re stepping up to the plate.”
The bulk of Werribee Centrals’ all-conquering premiership team from last season is no longer at the club.
It is relying on playing assistant coach Nicole Stewart, sharpshooter Ellie Tubbs and mid-courter Amy Giaini to provide the experience for a new-look side.
Stewart has been a key asset.
“She’s been a great help with the girls, mentoring them,” Iuta said.
“She’s got a lot of input in the team and it’s good to see how they respond to her.
“On the court, she’s still dynamic, she still leads from the front … that’s what I expect from her.”
Iuta has relished the chance to promote younger players from within club ranks.
“I’m all about breeding players and the development side of it,” Iuta said.
“We’ve got a strong B grade there and these players are just dying to get their chance in A grade.”
The question mark hanging over the Centrals after back-to-back titles concerned their hunger to climb back to the top of the mountain.
It was an issue Iuta sorted out with the players when compiling this season’s playing roster.
“We all sat down, we had a one-on-one, we had a group meeting,” she said.
“I just wanted to make sure all the players were on the same page.
“Their expectations may be different to mine … so from the get go we’ve all got a clear understanding of where we’re heading, where our road map is going to take us.”
Iuta might have found the answer two weeks ago when the Centrals fought back from a half-time deficit to beat Winchelsea.
“It showed that when we’re under pressure, we can dig deep when we need to,” Iuta said.
The GDFL has a week’s break with Werribee Centrals’ next game at home against North Geelong on May 30.
