James Murphy
KOWREE Naracoorte Tatiara netball reigning A Grade premiers Penola will show off a new-look lineup when they take to the court against Mundulla for Round 1 this Saturday.
Premiership coach Kaitlin Egan has returned to North Gambier for 2024, but has left the Eagles in the capable hands of Maddy Teakle.
It will be a young roster this season, but is certainly not lacking in talent.
Teakle returns to the court herself after a year off having a baby, while she is joined by Ashley Merrett who returns from a hiatus for the same reason.
They will be the more experienced players in the side, with Teakle stating the rest of the team ranged between 16 and 24 years of age.
“It is really different (this year),” Teakle said.
“We have this young, athletic, versatile team of girls – it is probably our biggest change up in a good few years.”
Despite the drastic changes, which has Egan, Jordy Adams, Chelsea Galpin and Brooke Klemm all out, while April Possingham steps down to A Reserve, Teakle remained confident in the team she has at her disposal.
“We have seen a lot of success with the team that we had and now it is about building on what we know and trying to get those same successes with a different group of girls,” she said.
“When you have a young group of girls, they are sponges really, so that has been really good.”
Siobhan Adams remains from last year and will keep the centre bib and Tegan Lythgo will be back at shooter, while there will be a few more familiar faces in the side.
“Myself and Ash have come back and Hannah Klemm played A Reserve last year and has stepped up,” Teakle said.
“Then Jorja Robbie has returned to Penola – she moved away for study but she is back in town now – and Riley Buckingham has come across from Kongorong who is a handy pickup.
“At first we were looking at all the outs and we were a bit concerned, but when we started putting everyone back in we realised we still have a really good side and a really competitive side, it is just a really different side.”
Teakle said it was now about gelling as a team, something she was confident would come in time.
“It will just take a bit of time and a bit of game time,” she said.
“Everyone is eager to hit the court and get some game time under our belts.”
Penola hosts Mundulla at McCorquindale Park this weekend which will be a good test for the side as it kicks off its title defence.
