Tara Murray
Lancefield has made massive inroads in the Riddell District Netball League this season.
Having not won a game last season, the Tigers have won two in eight rounds with plenty of good signs.
Tigers coach Ciara Stewart said she was thrilled with how the group had performed this season. The Tigers sit bottom but are one of three teams with two wins after the first round of matches.
“We’ve lost by 15 goals to the top teams, last season it was like 50 goals,” she said. “They’re showing a lot of improvement.
“The results are impressive for us. I’m more than impressed with the performance at both ends of the court.
“Only one game this season that we haven’t won a quarter.”
Stewart said for some of the players, they’ve never been this close to the top sides and it was giving them plenty of confidence.
She said it has been tough in relation to player points which has resulted in a number of players having to play two games each week.
She said had the players who trialled stuck with the club they would have been fine, but it wasn’t the case.
It has had an impact late in A-grade games and if they have any more injuries, Stewart said they would have to look to bring up C-grade players to make a full side.
“It’s a bit of jigsaw,” Stewart said. “Our shooting accuracy is letting us down in games.
“We’re not disappointed as someone like Tarnee Hammond is playing two hours in a row every Saturday and something has to give.
“We’ve put up an impressive volume in matches, we just need to learn how to finish off in key moments.”
The Tigers haven’t been helped with injuries with captain Mia Daly injured, while recruit Bella Collodetti is yet to play a game. Collodetti, who is also injured, has still be in attendance every game.
Stewart said while getting some good results on the board was good for them this season, they were working towards next year.
“The great thing coming from the Lancefield people is that they want to stay,” she said. I’m pretty confident that could come back next season.
“We’re already put some feelers out for next season.”
In the other grades, the Tigers are having some success with their B-grade side undefeated. Their under-19s are fifth and C-grade is in sixth.
The Tigers have the weekend off with no games due to the King’s Birthday weekend.
The Tigers next week face Riddell.
In other matches next week, Diggers Rest will host Romsey, Wallan is at home to Kyneton while Macedon takes on Melton Centrals.
Woodend-Hesket has the bye.
