Gisborne’s strong start to the Bendigo Netball League season continued with a big win against South Bendigo on Saturday.
After a 56 goal win in round one against Kyneton, the Bulldogs backed it up with a 55-25 win on Saturday.
The victory came without coach Guy Keane who was in Queensland as part of the victorious Victorian men’s team at the National Championships.
Keane said they couldn’t have asked for much more in the first two rounds.
“They’ve been two really good wins,” he said.
“I was really impressed with what they did on the court in round one, and by all reports it was much the same in round two.”
Most of the Bulldogs squad from last season has returned, either in the top side or have filtered down into the A-reserve side with more depth this season.
Melinda Luke, who won the under-17 league best and fairest award last season, will play a greater role in the A-grade team, having previously played some senior netball.
Another young gun, Keara Fitzgerald, has also stepped up into the top team. Both were part of the Bulldogs under-17 premiership team last season.
Keane said Fitzgerald, who is part of the Ballarat Sovereigns under-19 team, was keen to learn.
“Right from the first session that I’ve come up here she’s been really easy to coach.
“She’s like a sponge. She’s soaking everything in.”
Ella Bertacchini has also joined the team. Bertacchini brings Victorian Netball League experience and last season played in the North Gippsland Football Netball League.
She previously played under Keane as part of the under-21 Victorian team last year.
Keane said despite the great start to the season, they know they’ve got a lot of work to again feature in finals.
“It’s a long season. We’ll keep tracking away on the training court and improving.”
In other games, Kyneton suffered a 53-23 loss to Maryborough.
In the football, it was a tough day for Gisborne which suffered a loss to South Bendigo.
The Bulldogs were on the back foot early, trailing by 13 points at the first break. South Bendigo managed to extend the lead in every quarter to win, 19.8 (122)-13.7 (85).
Kyneton made it two wins in a row, with a big 20.8 (128)-7.8 (50) victory against Maryborough.
