Macedon has added some more depth and flexibility to try and get back to the top of the Riddell District Netball League.
After missing out on the grand final last season, the Cats core group has returned with some key additions.
Cats coach Ciara Stewart said they needed to make some changes to ensure the side continued to progress.
“The depth is much better and we have a new style in attack and defence,” he said.
“We need to be a better team and have to follow through come finals. It’s disappointing not to make the grand final last year, but we lost our best shooter.”
The Cats new line up was on show in their first match, with Bronte Green and Hetty Donoghue both making their debuts.
The Cats started with the usual line up in the first quarter against Riddell, before making some changes.
The side came away with a good win, winning
“It was good, Riddell had quite a relatively new line up,” Stewart said.
“It took a bit of adjusting, but it was a good match in the end. We were a bit rusty early on and didn’t start how we would have liked.
“I thought about changing away from the normal line to start during the week, but I didn’t feel comfortable.
“We brought Alex [August-Leifi] into goalkeeper and Hetty into goals. The transition was just as smooth.”
Stewart said she was thrilled with how Donoghue played first up, having not played a lot of netball previously.
“She said the thing that she noticed the most was the pressure had gone up from the practice matches,” she said.
“She stood up. Hopefully with that there’s a lot of growth to come and round one is just a base of how much potential she has.”
The match also marked the return for Chloe Wilson to the court, having missed last season’s finals series due to being pregnant.
Stewart said Wilson was still rusty, but once fit she would add another element to the side.
Having had a lot of success in recent seasons, Stewart said they were hoping for more club success this season.
She said that they expected their A, B and C-grades sides to be up there. Their under-19 side is young and green and will develop.
The Cats round two match is on April 25 against Diggers Rest.
Tara Murray
