3 minute read
NETBALL WA COMMUNITY FEATURE Spotlight on Men’s GIG WANL
The 2023 Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League Men’s Competition is shaping as another exciting season.
Defending champions Western Roar will be looking to continue their winning streak after going through 2022 undefeated with a 14-0 record.
Advertisement
Looking to challenge the Roar will be grand finalist the Hamersley Comets, three-time champions West Coast Warriors and the improving Southside Demons.
In an exciting change to the Men’s Competition, the third round of fixtures will see the teams play each other in a hybrid version of Fast5 netball.
The Fast5 format sees only five players on court with different scoring areas meaning sides can score one, two or three points. All matches during this round will be short and sharp, with four 10-minute quarters with the team that wins the toss choosing the goal end and taking the first centre pass in the first and third quarters.
The first six minutes of each quarter teams can score one and two-point shots and the final four minutes of each quarter, goalers can shoot outside the goal circle for a three-point shot.
Reigning premiers Western Roar will be hoping to build on what was a very successful 2022 campaign.
Roar’s squad will take on a new look and be a blend of youth and experience with some incredibly exciting, athletic and ferociously competitive young talent, who are ready to forge their own path in the Men’s Competition.
They will be looking to their shooting end to once again be dominant with Max Denholm the key with his more than 90 per cent shooting percentage and ability to score 300 goals a season.
The Hamersley Comets are ready to build on last year’s grand final finish and are eager to see the impact their newest additions will bring to their team.
The Comets have farewelled Joel Anderson and Blake Smith into retirement while Elliot Clark has relocated to New Zealand. Replacing them will be defenders Liam Bailye and Dale Mather, midcourters, the speedy Mark McCoach and the versatile Declan Mensing and Corey Goss will bolster the shooting line.
Southside Demons have retained a core group of athletes from last season and will be looking to continue building the foundation and style of play that is uniquely Demons.
Coach Mandy Love said the Demons were also fortunate to pick up some exciting talent from their trials.
“We are looking at showcasing [that talent] throughout the season and the Rapid Round format.
“Our goal is to earn the right to play in the Grand Final and we are looking forward to challenging not only ourselves but all other teams in the process.”
After narrowly missing out on a spot in last year’s decider, the West Coast Warriors are entering the 2023 season with a newfound energy and focus.
A new Coaching team of Hannah Irving and Player-Coach Jason Heard are ready to claim back the premiership title and the team has been able to keep the core playing group from last year. Add in some talented young guns who are ready to step up and the team has a chance to reclaim premiership glory.
“There is a fresh energy and vibe within the group this year,” Heard said.
“We were obviously disappointed to miss out on the Grand Final last year, but I think that has lit the fire for a lot of us.
“We know we have to come together as a team and perform under pressure if we want to improve. I have no doubt we have the right group to take it all the way in 2023.”
The Warriors will be looking to West Coast Fever Training Partner Jerome Gillbard to lead from the front.
The Australian Goal Shooter said he was excited to see how the Warriors would go in 2023.
“We’ve got a few new faces, some exciting young talent, some more ‘experienced’ faces, which I think will put us in good stead for the season,” he said.
“We were really disappointed to miss out on making the Grand Final last year and are out to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Gillbard said netball fans looking for excitement in 2023, needed to go no further than the Men’s Competition.
“There have been a few changes across all four sides and it could honestly be anyone’s game on each night.
“I think that makes for an exciting game to watch and hopefully a good spectacle for those that watch.”
The future of the Men’s Competition is looking bright with Souwest Jets commencing their Mavericks Academy program aimed at young boys keen to hone their netball skills. The program will hopefully help the Jets to meet their goal of developing a Men’s Team to make its GIG WANL debut in 2024.
