At the start of the Riddell District Netball League season, no one knew much about Macedon and its new-look team.
Just one player from last season’s grand final side was part of the squad, as the Cats looked to start a new era.
They quickly showed they would be finals contenders and, as the year progressed, a premiership contender.
All through finals the Cats just wanted to play good netball and see where it took them. It was no different in Saturday’s A-grade grand final against Riddell.
The Cats tested the Bombers and made them change their game plan. Even when they were eight goals down, the Cats didn’t give up, pushing the Bombers to play some of their best netball.
While the Cats ultimately fell short, 46-42, it was a performance to be proud of.
Cats’ playing coach Ciara Stewart said they would learn from the mistakes they made late in the game, when the result was on the line.
“If you think about it, they got it out to eight goals, and we brought it back again to four goals.
“We turned the ball over two times on our centre pass in our goal ring in the last minute and a half, and that’s what we have to learn from. It could have been really up there.”
The Cats looked at different combinations to try and put the Bombers off. These included changing the goal circle in the second half, if there was any sign of things not going right.
“They had to move around all their players,” she said. “The three wing defences coming on [for us] were all strategy today. It wasn’t to combat what the wing attack was doing
“We thought we would try Tara [Burnip] again in the third quarter, and if it wasn’t going to plan straight away, Jaz [Jarrad Walker] will put it to the girls and try something different – and that’s what they did.
“Tara was missing a few goals. It wasn’t about positioning today, it was about her goaling. We thought we would move to a fast goaling unit and it worked too.” Burnip was the best of the goalers for the Cats with 19 goals.
Stewart said in the end there were two areas they just weren’t able to match it with the Bombers which proved the difference, the Bombers’ height, and shooter Bec Colwell.
“They missed shots for us to get the ball enough down our end.
“Unfortunately for us, Bec out-muscled with her height and size. We have to get better rebounding positions, and learn from that. Without her they wouldn’t have come close.”
While slightly disappointed with the result, Stewart said signs for the future are encouraging after just one season together.
“I’m positive all the girls will play again, if not 90 per cent of them. Hopefully strengthen the defence end and add to the midcourt.”
