NETBALL FEATURE | Bulldogs still a work in progress
BY KIERAN ILES
BENDIGO TIMES
AN 18-GOAL loss to a major rival might be cause for concern for many coaches, but Gisborne’s Tarryn Rymer knows there are bright days ahead.
While the Bulldogs slipped to 3-2 following a 50-32 loss to the Dragons last Saturday at the QEO, the defeat came with an important caveat.
They were without a trio of dual-premiership players in star goal attack Claudia Mawson, class defender Zoe Davies and underrated midcourter Emerson Lakey.
Another A-grade regular this season Demi Young was also missing.
With that in mind, Rymer was reasonably pleased with the performance and the chance for some of the Bulldogs’ A-reserve players to gain some all-important exposure on the big stage against a crack opposition, minus one star of their own in defender Ruby Turner.
“It was a really good chance for us to take some learnings and a good chance for the A-reserve girls to come up and have a crack against a quality opposition,” she said.
“With those players out, we were forced to make some changes and have a look at some different options.
“I thought the girls did a solid job. So, there were positives to take out of it.
“I thought Charlee (Kemp) and Kirby (Elliott) were really solid in defence; they won so much ball.
Some of the A-reserve contingent played as many as six quarters – including two in A-grade.
Saturday’s A-reserve clash ended in a draw.
Even more reason for buoyancy for Rymer and the Bulldogs was the return to action during the week of star goal attack Claudia Mawson for her VNL club Melbourne University Lightning.
Best on court in the Bulldogs’ drought-breaking 2023 premiership win, Mawson has not played a game in red, white and blue this season after sustaining a shoulder injury in the lead up to round one.
She made her first appearance for the Melbourne Vixens reserves team last Sunday in a loss to the Queensland Firebirds Futures at Nissan Arena.
The Bulldogs can take plenty of heart in knowing that the day Mawson, Davies, who has been sidelined with an injured ankle and Lakey (currently overseas) – will be back on a BFNL court is nearing.
“I feel once we get everyone back and ready we will be fine,” said Rymer, who acknowledged up to four players’ availability at different times this season will be restricted by VNL commitments.
“But obviously we need to raise the bar to get over the likes of Flat and Sandhurst.
“Ruby (Turner) was a big out for Sandhurst too on Saturday.”
The Bulldogs will be aiming to bounce back against Golden Square, which got the shot of confidence it was looking for in a 44-39 win over South Bendigo last Saturday.
It was enough to lift Golden Square above Strathfieldsaye into sixth place on the ladder.
