Launceston state league netballers Ashton Whiley and Shelby Miller will turn out at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena on Saturday night to create netball history.
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The Northern Hawks and Cavaliers midcourters have been included among 10 players – half of its squad to contain Collingwood Super Netball training partners – to debut for the Tasmanian Magpies in the new entity’s Australian Netball League inaugural appearance.
Whiley’s Hawks teammate Zoe Claridge is one of three Tasmanians to miss out under the arrangement to split the side’s representation.
Hobart-based Alex Vinen, Hayley Sansom and Emma Johns, who was added late to the state squad, will also play in the opening clash against seven-time ANL champions Victorian Fury in Melbourne.
Tasmanian Magpies coach Jon Fletcher felt their meritorious day has “come around very quickly” after a limited preparation in preseason.
“There’s no doubt everyone’s excited because it’s the first go for the new program and everyone involved is looking forward to Saturday night very much,” he said.
“It certainly has a different feel about it – we’re still really coming to grips with the whole concept as the team had such a short lead-in.”
The occasion, which acts as the curtain raiser ahead of the Super Netball clash between Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies, promises to feature Winnaleah product-turned-Victorian Fury talent Kelsie Rainbow.
Fletcher said he has “done a fair bit of homework” on the Fury and will have further discussions with players on Friday night and Saturday.
The first-ever male elite netball coach when in charge of the ex-Hunter Jaegers felt the new Bass Strait derby was the ideal start for his side.
“They’ve been the benchmark for a long time,” he said of defending ANL champions of the past four seasons.
“But it’s a good way to open (the season), as it certainly allow us to measure where we’re at, see where we stand early in the competition and what comes next.
“Certainly, it’s our derby and I am pretty keen we are playing them first-up.”