Sunbury Lions know that early season wins are vital for them in the Ballarat Netball League.
With four out of their first five matches against sides that didn’t make the finals last season, last year’s runners-up are keen to start the season well.
So far they are doing just that.
On Saturday, the Lions defeated Darley 41-38 to make it three wins from as many matches.
The Lions thought they had the attacking angles covered before a late off season player withdrawal that has left them still searching for a goaler.
Skipper Rebecca Anstey said the side would have preferred to have one in place before the season started but that there was a shortage of quality goalers.
“With Victorian Netball League running the same time, it has made it hard,” she said.
“There’s the challenge of training so hard, working and uni – everyone gets burnt out before the season … we’re mindful of that when looking at players.”
As well as players coming up from B grade to help fill the void, Anstey, who is known as a defender, has had to switch ends.
She said trying to work out what sort of player to pull up from the lower grades had been a challenge.
“I’m more a support goaler,” she said. “The first week I played as the dominant goaler and it didn’t work.
“I think me playing in goal attack was the better option and playing with a holding goal shooter, which was what we had with Chloe Curran [last year].
“I’m hoping to get back home in defence at some point.”
Anstey said the first couple of rounds had been up and down.
“The first week wasn’t great, but it was good to get the win,” she said.
“We pulled it all together in the second week. We’ve learnt a lot in the first couple of weeks.”
