By Tara Murray
Reigning premiers Gisborne will have a younger side as it heads into the Bendigo Netball League season.
The Bulldogs have managed to keep most of their premiership side together and are expected to be among the contenders come finals.
Coach Tarryn Rymer said before the first match they were excited to get back out there.
“We had our trials in October,” he said. “We face Kangaroo Flat in the opening round and it will be exciting to see where we are at.
“They have a lot of new recruits and already have a strong side.”
While the Bulldogs have kept most of their side together, they have lost two of their most experienced campaigners.
Maddy Stewart is playing down at Foster, while Tiana Newman is having a baby.
Rymer said their side was similar to their 2024 team with a couple of key additions.
“Emily Miles has come across from Romsey and is a key addition,” he said. “She is controlled and strong in the midcourt.
“Sheridan Townrow comes from playing with Echuca.
“She’s an experienced, knowledgeable, level headed tall shooter. She’s a nice addition for us.”
Demi Young, who was part of the A-reserve squad last season will also step up and play some A-grade games.
Amity Drayton was another who was named in the A-grade squad for round one.
Rymer said they wanted to keep providing opportunities to those players who are at the club.
“They are babies,” she said of the side this year.
“Everyone asks what is next and these girls keep coming back stronger. We use A-reserve to prepare them for the next level and it’s important for us.
“We don’t want to rely on VNL [Victorian Netball League] players. We want local players playing at that level.
“Let’s have fun and see what they are capable of doing.”
The Bulldogs have suffered an early blow with Claudia Mawson dislocating her shoulder.
Rymer said they were unsure when Mawson would return, but it opens up more opportunities for Torie Skrijel
“Torie Skrijel can play as a moving shooter or holding shooter,” she said. “In the 17s she played a lot of goal attack and it’s a good opportunity for her to step back into that.”
The Bulldogs started their season with a big loss to Kangaroo Flat.
Rymer said before the match that it would give them a bit of an indication of where they were at.
Rymer said the first focus for the whole squad was to get every side back into finals.
Last season all but the under-17s made the grand final, with the Bulldogs winning two flags.
“Getting five teams in the finals and then we will make finals from there.”
The Bulldogs will be in action on Good Friday against South Bendigo.
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