Victorian Netball League: Southern Saints win two of the last three to finish strongly

Southern Saints wrapped up their Victorian Netball League championship division season with a win that left coach Jade Heinrich wishing there was just a few more furlongs to the finishing post.

Southern Saints wrapped up their Victorian Netball League championship division season with a win that left coach Jade Heinrich wishing there was just a few more furlongs to the finishing post.

After a disastrous injury toll derailed the Saints campaign in the very early weeks of the season, a rebuilt squad has come together slowly but steadily.

On Wednesday night at the State Netball Hockey Centre, Saints took care of the winless Sovereigns 60-39 to make it two wins from its last three games for s 5-13 finish and eighth place.

INJURIES AND PLAYER DEPARTURES CALL FOR NEW BREED OF SAINT

SAINTS TRY TO STAY POSITIVE

SAINTS LOG BACK-TO-BACK WINS

Midcourter Ash Newham has come on in leaps and bounds this year Picture: David Crosling

“In that Ariels game and even against Geelong last week, we really showed something,” Heinrich said. “And last night just topped it all off.

“This group has come so far, it’s just a shame the season hasn’t got a few more weeks to go.”

The Saints’ campaign was pretty much cooked before the season had ticked over too many quarters with player departures and injuries leaving Heinrich without her starting seven.

Players were hastily called up from the Division 1 and 19&under sides to fill the gaps and, after a few weeks of initial shellshock, they started to find their feet at the top level.

“A few of the players are still eligible for 19&under, but now they are championship (division) players,” Heinrich said. “And they’ve had to play a role, not just sit on the bench.”

Heinrich was particularly pleased with the progress shown by defender Kirsty Clark and midcourter Ashleigh Newham.

“They had to mature really quickly,” the coach said. “And they’ve really stepped up.

“They now know what the intensity is like and it won’t be such a shock (next season).”

Heinrich is confident that blooding such a large number of players in the top flight this season will hold the club in good stead in future campaigns.

The season has been far from a lost cause.

“Obviously, injuries hit us hard,” she said. “But if you can keep the current group of players together, gosh, there’s a lot to look forward to.

“The average age of the team is about 18 or 19. A year or two, and who knows?”

Coach Jade Heinrich is confident of an improved showing next season