LIAM PHILLIPS
NURIOOTPA produced the
most surprising round one
result in the Barossa, Light
& Gawler Netball Association’s
Senior 1 competition,
tying with perennial
top-four side South Gawler
48-48.
Nuriootpa coach Sallyann
Vivian said while it wasn’t a
win, it was a positive result
for the side after being able to
successfully translate many
of the concepts worked on in
preseason into round one.
“The core group has been
together for four or five years
now, so after a year off I think
our main thing was – rather
than a lot of instruction – just
settling back into what we do
well together,” she said.
“There was no negative
talk at quarter times about
what we can’t do or anything
like that – everyone did a really
good job of keeping spirits
high and never feeling like
we were defeated when we
were trailing.
“I think we were a couple
goals down at halftime, but
we just reset at the break with
the same instructions, same
team, same plan, and focused
on playing at our pace.”
While Vivian said the team
was positive coming into
round one, she admits they
had a ‘David versus Goliath’
mentality heading into the
contest.
“I think we had that marked
down as what would probably
be our toughest game,”
she said.
“It was coming off of a preseason
that was a bit upset by
vintage, and work commitments,
so it’s fair to say this
was a really positive result
for us.
“A win would’ve been
great, but with the way we
played and the feeling around
the group, it is the next best
thing.”
Vivian named Nicole
Bruce-Gordon as her side’s
best on a day that featured a
number of strong showings.
“Nicole had a fantastic
game at wing attack for us
– she paces really well, and
she’s a really strong player
with fantastic skills,” she
said.
“Donna Waldhuter also
played great for us – she’s
our centre and it was a big
ask on quite a warm day to
run centre all day, but she did
it really well with full-court
pressure.”