Macedon’s depth is growing in the Riddell District Netball League with the club set to put out some strong squads again.
The Cats made finals last season and are hoping to build on that this year.
Coach Katie Clarke said they had people wanting to join the club which was really encouraging.
“We had heaps at trials,” she said. “It was really good and we’ve got some strong squads which is nice.
“We want to build that culture and environment that people want to be part of. We’re attracting quality players, who are quality girls.
“That is lovely and they are buying into the Macedon culture.”
The Cats A-grade squad has plenty of depth this season.
After having a number of injuries and unavailabilities, including five in one game last season, Clarke said they wanted to make sure they have all bases covered.
“We wanted to create some depth in the team,” he said. “Playing outside it a lot harder than indoor courts.
“Having extra girls we can rotate and bring up. We have some really good players across all the teams
‘It strengthens squads for the future.”
The Cats have a number of returning players this season.
Caitlyn Alifraco, Chelsea Kemp, Hayley Birch, Alex Cameron and Bronte Green will lead the midcourt and will be joined by Rebecca Ingleton, who has played A-grade in the Bendigo Netball League.
It will be a new look attack with liza Petherick and Hetty Donoghue returning, while Molly McGrath crosses from Kyneton and Chloe Eyre from Melton Centrals.
In defence, Clarke returns along with Taylah Chamra. Janelle Tate, who had last season off after having a baby, returns.
Clarke said that it was really good to have Tate back in the side and she was working her way back to her best.
While Tate is back from having a baby, star goaler Chloe Williams will miss this season as she’s pregnant with her third child.
Clarke said in the past they didn’t have the depth in their goaling.
“We’ve got strong goalers across A and B,” she said. “We’ve certainly got some goaling depth.
“Hetty and Chloe have that youth and are building that partnership and are also at VNL together.
“Molly is another excellent addition.”
Clarke, who broke her hand in the finals last season, said she would play one more year and see how she goes.
“There’s certainly some girls in the club that are really starting to push for those positions,” she said.
“That is what you need and you want them to push up to the next level. Pushing up into defence is exciting for me.”
The Cats will kick off their season against Riddell on April 5.
