By Tara Murray
Macedon has started the Riddell District Netball League season on the right track.
The Cats have introduced some new faces into their line up this season as they start to look for the future.
The results have still been coming, with the Cats sitting 4-2.
Cats coach Katie Clarke said she was certainly happy with how they were tracking.
“While we haven’t put out the performances we know that we can, we have almost a new attacking end,” she said.
“They are really young and the attacking end is working hard at training and starting to gel.
“We will keep building and we’re going in the right direction.”
Clarke said it was exciting to see the youngsters step up and have made the most of their opportunities.
Against Wallan they had two 17-year-olds on the court at the same time.
“They are still in high school,” she said. “It’s good for the club and we’re working hard to give these young girls an opportunity in A-grade when we can.
“They are the future of the club, they put in the work at training.”
Clarke said they had challenged their players coming through to the grades to try and take the spots of those in A-grade.
She said she would love to see others come up and take her spot in the defence end.
“We have got some really experienced players and some really young girls,” she said. “We’ve challenged some of the girls in B-grade that they have to be hunting positions.
“Teghan Butler is doing a fantastic job in B-grade and it’s exciting to see the girls doing the work.
“I’m really excited for the future.”
On Saturday, the Cats had a hard fought battle against Kyneton.
The Tigers led for large chunks of the game before the Cats finished strongly to win, 45-40.
Clarke said it was definitely not their best performance of the season.
“Credit to Kyneton, they played well,” she said. “Every team on their day can beat any side.
“I don’t think the score lines and ladder reflect what is going on the court.
“They came out with a good structure. We were challenged and down by seven at one stage, we dug deep and were able to pull a win out.
“They are a quality side and the scoreline didn’t reflect that.”
Hetty Donoghue shot 28 goals for the Cats, while Chloe Eyre shot 17 goals.
For the Tigers, Michelle Fletcher shot 22 goals.
The Cats have a bye this week, which Clarke said came at a good time for her side that sits in fourth.
In other matches, Lancefield continued its good form as it accounted for Melton South, 68-33.
The Tigers now have more points on the board than they had for all of last season.
Woodend-Hesket remains undefeated after beating Romsey, 53-35.
Riddell had a big 52-29 win against Diggers Rest, while Wallan beat the Gisborne Giants, 59-41.
