With a strong existing core group, Romsey has added what it hopes are the final pieces of the puzzle for its tilt at the Riddell District Netball League premiership.
The Redbacks finished fourth last season, losing a semi-final to Macedon by two goals, while struggling at times with player numbers and availability.
Much of last year’s group has returned, which is a good sign for the club going forward.
This time last year, there wasn’t even a full side.
Star shooter Hope Evans, Victorian Netball League player Chelsea Ross, the experienced Stacey Deimos, defender Stefanie Symes and playing coach and former Australian mixed player Lena Way will be part of the Redbacks again.
Redbacks’ premiership players Danni Davidson and Bronwyn Blair, who returned late last season, will also pull on the red and black again.
Lauren Anglin, who has just had a baby, will play later in the season.
Adding to the existing group are three key signings, giving strength to the midcourt and defence.
Elle McDonald and Sarah Szczykulski have come across from Seymour, where they were premierships players.
McDonald, who can play midcourt or in defence, won the Goulburn Valley Netball League best and fairest in 2015, and currently plays championship division VNL and represents Victoria in mixed netball.
Szczykulski was named in the VNL under-19 team of the year and was in the Victorian under-19 team that won the national championships last year.
The two are joined by gun midcourter Cayley Armstrong, who has crossed from RDNL premiers Riddell.
Armstrong is one of the competition’s premier midcourters.
Way, who will be assisted by Michelle Brinkhuis and Jodie Meyer, said she is excited by what the side could do on court.
“The goaling line-up is strong and dynamic, and combines the experience of Hope along with Chelsea and Bronwyn who bring exceptional yet complementary skills to the shooting end,” she said.
“Our mid-court line-up phenomenal. We have an enormous breadth of talent to use across the three positions and we intend to use this to our advantage to implement rotations, match-up opponents and execute different court strategies.
“And in our defence line-up we have both experience and youth, athleticism and height. We will be using our pre-season to discover what defensive tactics we will implement with the complement of defenders we have.”
Way is also confident with the other sides, with an excellent response to tryouts.
The senior players are also stepping up and helping in the lower grades.
Ross is coaching B-grade, Evans is looking after the C-grade side while Blair will coach the under-19s.
