Tara Murray
City West Falcons are prepared to take the risk and run with small squads for this year’s Victorian Netball League season as they seek another strong season.
While many clubs are preparing to have extra players with the pandemic and possible isolation challenges, the Falcons have gone the opposite way.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said for them this season it was about getting the players court time after two interrupted years.
“We’ve running low numbers and taking a risk,” she said.
“Players are keen to play this year, so we’ve taken a risk and reward method, as I’d rather get them playing.
“We’ve got players playing in a few different positions. They’re enjoying the versatility of running different roles which will help with smaller numbers.”
The club’s championship team, which was undefeated last season when the season was called off early, is similar to last season.
Goaler Uneeq Palavi returns to the club having played elsewhere in recent years and will add a bit of flare, while Lucia Fauonuku has been promoted.
The one big loss for the Falcons is captain, Maggie Lind, who has earned a contract with Collingwood’s Super Netball side.
Maggie was named joint VNL championship division most valuable player last season, the second time she has won that award.
Lind said her daughter might be released to play a few games to play for them, but they wouldn’t know until during the season.
“Losing Maggie is a big hole,” Lind said. “She still helps out a lot with coaching and organised a clinic for the junior association.”
Lind said Soli Ropati would move into the wing attack position having played that role before. Maddy Gray may also spend time playing there.
Zoe Davies, who has been signed as a training partner at Collingwood, and Fauonuku might get opportunities in the midcourt, with the side taking in a defensive heavy squad.
She said Montana Holmes, who has also signed with Collingwood as a training partner, had been training really well in the off season.
Lind said expectations for the championship side remained high.
“We are expecting to finish in the top four,” she said. “A couple of injuries could change that though.”
In the other sides, Lind said they had added three players from Albury Wondga to their division 1 side.
She said the under-19 would again provide some excitement.
“We’ve got Adut Manyiel from Ballarat who is pretty exciting.
“Teal Hocking is in the side and we’ve up Kiralee Collings in the midcourt who has great leadership.
“Charli Nicol and Achel Yout are back and have some really good potential.”
In exciting news for the Falcons, they will get to host three games at Altona, after works on their new courts have been finished.
The Falcons will kick off their season on March 16.
