Mount Evelyn’s A-grade netball team in a scene of jubilation after winning their third title in three years.
By Russell Bennett
MOUNT Evelyn Football Netball Club’s A-Grade netballers have won their third straight Yarra Valley Mountain District Football Netball League premiership.
Mount Evelyn, pitted against fellow league powerhouse Wandin, played a consistent brand of netball throughout the deciding game, coming away with a 13-goal win.
The score was close throughout but Mount Evelyn proved too strong in the last quarter, winning 36-23.
“It was a pretty good game. A few shots weren’t going our way in the first half but luckily things improved in the second,” said Mount Evelyn goal attack Sarah Hogan.
“The defensive pressure was awesome from the whole team when some of our shots weren’t dropping and that’s what heavily contributed to the win.”
Mount Evelyn player coach Jade Hottes, adjudged best on court in the grand final, said the game against Wandin was one full of pressure and intensity.
“It felt like the game was close the whole time, even towards the end. At no stage did I think we had it won,” she said.
Ms Hottes indicated her team’s premiership success over the last three years may not last much longer.
“Of course we’ll be going out there to win it all next season but I think it’ll be more of a developing year,” she said.
“Our B-grade side also won the premiership and no doubt some of those girls deserve a promotion up to the A’s.”
The team credits much of its dominance over the last three seasons to its coaches and an exceptionally deep talent pool. “Our dedicated coaching staff is the key,” Ms Hogan said.
“Each player knows what their job is. The coaches, the players – everyone is committed to being there (at the club) and putting in our all.”
Ms Hogan said Ms Hottes was responsible in no small part for the team’s sustained success.
“Jade [Hottes] is really driving this club forward and Lauren Tesoriero makes sure we have a really strong connection with the football side as well.”
“We’re one club and not two separate bodies.”
The strength of Mount Evelyn’s club culture has led to its netball sides having an abundance of players.
“We’ve actually had to turn some girls away who have come up and asked to play for us,” Ms Hogan said.
“We’ve got 28 players in our three sides combined. We don’t like having to say no to anyone but they’ve got to come down and train before we can consider them.”
The teams’ success is fostered from a family-oriented and friendly club atmosphere. As Ms Hogan said, once players get a taste of the club’s culture, they want to stay for the success.
“We do play with a lot of confidence,” she said.
“But that comes from putting in the work at training. All three of our sides train really, really hard.”
A-grade goal shooter Kate Youlten and B-grade’s Rachael Hickey capped off great seasons for their sides, both taking out their leagues’ scoring awards.
