With three of its four netball teams on top of their ladders and the other team in second, there’s not much to be unhappy about at Rupertswood Netball Club.
The Sharks have had an ideal start to the Riddell District Netball League season, with only two losses between their four sides as they look to improve on last year’s results and two premierships.
Sharks head coach Di McCormack said she was happy with how the four sides were looking ahead of finals.
On Saturday, the B, C and under-19 sides beat Rockbank, while the A-grade team did not play because the Rams are not fielding a top side.
“I can’t be unhappy with the season,” McCormack said.
“We’ve lost one game in A grade while our B-grade side started slowly but has started to find their feet.
“It’s the best C-grade side we’ve had and the under-19 side has surprised us. There’s some good talent through the club.”
The great results have come about despite the Sharks being one of the sides most heavily impacted by players having to juggle RDNL and Victorian Netball League commitments.
“There’s only a few more VNL games left, so it should settle down,” McCormack said.
McCormack has called on several players to fill in and she’s hoping that those same players will play a part come RDNL finals time. They include VNL players Kirsten Daley, Zoe Davies and Natalie Billings and BNL Sunbury Lions captain Beck Anstey.
“I don’t mind overloading the attacking end,” she said. “Nat is a great girl and she plays with Stacey [Northey] and Sara [Febbo] in VNL. We’ve got Amy Starzer, who is now playing in VNL division 1 and who can also play defence.”
McCormack said the competition between the top sides in A grade was closer than in previous years.
The Sharks’ only loss in A grade came against Melton Centrals, when the Sharks struggled with illness and injuries.
“I don’t underrate Macedon and we all know that Riddell is a top side,” she said.
“Melton Centrals are up there and Romsey has gone from struggling to have a team to forming quite a good side. And you never underestimate Diggers Rest.
“We need to push ourselves each week and can’t have lack of concentration against the lower sides.”
The Sharks slipped from first to second at the weekend on percentage despite not playing.
