Page 170 - 2016 Yearbook

FirstsNetball

A fter a slow start, going down to Geelong Grammar by a We were billeted together at a lovely home and created

big number, we knew it was going to be a tough season. cherished memories. As well as some well-deserved accolades
Credit to all the girls though, as a young and inexperienced for Jessica Lallo, Shelbea Murphy and Emma Harrington, who
team we embraced the challenge and continued to improve. We each received player of the day awards, Jessica was named most
came away with two wins and some close losses for the season valuable player for the competition.
finishing ninth out of 12 teams. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year one to
After the success of last year’s team, which finished second overall remember.
and first at the Marist carnival, we knew we had big shoes to fill. Kara Tessari - captain
Losing six of the nine girls from 2015 allowed seven girls to debut
in the firsts: Shelbea Murphy, Chelsea Mussett, Emma Harrington,
Gen Zoch, Georgina Smith, Carissa Grant and Larissa Rix.
Halfway through the season we played in the 22nd Marist
Netball Carnival in Sale. We went into the carnival without
high expectations, but knowing that every other team was
out to get us. Our main motivation was to compete, have fun
and not to get too caught up in the win-loss ratio. Our first day
determined whether we would finish in the challenge (bottom
eight) or championship division (top eight). We made it into the
championship division after finishing sixth which was a massive
achievement.
The next couple of days decided the outcome of the carnival. We
played off for a spot in the preliminary final but fell short to our
great rival, Sacred Heart College, Adelaide. We then played off
for third or fourth against our hosts. On the final siren you would
have expected us to feel a great sense of relief after competing
in 16 games over three days, but with the scores even we had to
play for another 10 minutes. In the final minutes of this physical
game we took a good lead after Shelbea, ruffling a few feathers
in our attack end, caused the goal defence to be sent off for
aggressive and inappropriate behaviour. After much effort and
excitement we enjoyed a nail-biting win, finishing third overall.

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