The action is hotting up in the RDFNL. Macedon and Rupertswood enjoyed solid round one performances across football and netball. While we looked at Macedon last week, it's time to have a look at rivals Rupertswood ahead of tomorrow's big game.
Netball
The Sharks went down to Romsey in Round One in a solid outing. They are confident in bouncing back from that performance and its 2016 Preliminary loss to this week's opponent, Macedon.
Dianne McCormack will coach the team in its fifth season in the competition. The club has been one of the big success stories in forming an entire netball club to join the league alongside its footballers. McCormack has been with the Sharks since the beginning and despite not securing A Grade premiership glory, other grades gave tasted success.
McCormack also coaches Monash University Storm in the VNL in the Under 19s. She is the head coach of Western Zone Academy, St Therese's NC and Men's State 23 Development team.
The squad features the talent of Amy Starzer (Captain), Hayley Mathews and Lucy Batina in goals; AIlish McCormack, Prue Stanley, Emily ktona and Holly Keating in the mid-court; and Lara Keating, Jess Dominko and Juliet Fisher in defense.
Bec Anstey is the biggest notable exclusion from the 2016 team.
"We as a club would expect to finish in the finals for all grades," McCormack says.
"The A Grade team is a very young team we have brought up girls from our very successful B grade team (who have won the GF back to back for the last 3 years) and C Grade team who were also premiers in 2016."
Holly Keating is the young star in the team to look out for. Keating is very dynamic, a hunter who played in the C Grade and Under 19 Grand Finals.
"She is not afraid to put her body on the line," McCormack says.
There is no-one particularly to watch for as she feels that the team is balanced and work well on the court together.
Football
Rupertswood is ticking all the right boxes ahead of a big season in the RDFNL. The club has struggled with not being able to win a Senior final since it joined the competition four seasons ago. It is as determined as ever to strike that success in its fifth year under coach Kevin Fitzgerald who is in his second season in the role.
The club welcomed the return of Sean Hetherington from Calder Cannons and VFL duties. The former junior started the season in fine form against Broadford with five goals in a best on ground performance. This is a big sign of things to come.
Dean Putt joins the club after previously playing at Woodend, Calder Cannons, Richmond, VFL and EDFL. Marc Young (Romsey) and Nathan Stephens (recent Scarborough medallist) also join the squad.
John Corso and Phil Kaufmann (Sunbury Kangaroos), Jorden Braddy (East Sunbury) and Alec Goodson (Sunbury Lions) are notable exists from the squad.
Corso was a great force in the midfield and Braddy was the best tap ruckman in the competition early last season. These two and the others will be key losses.
The Sharks are loaded with quality young talent. This includes Lochie Muir and Paddy Scanlon in the midfield; Dylan Podolczak, and 2016 Rising Star nominee Dylan Featon.
Look out for Hetherington and Putt to have immediate and ongoing impacts for the team.
The Sharks expect to make and win finals this year.
Last Modified on 24/04/2017 17:54