GVL | Swans welcome Bulldogs in netball showdown

With injuries aplenty, the Swans struggled to click into gear early in the season, however, with momentum now in their corner the ship is turning around.

Swans coach Courtney Simpson said it would be a tough contest against a talented Tatura.

“I feel like we certainly had a really tough start to the season given we played some really tough teams,” Simpson said.

“We’re really starting to connect as a unit, we’ve had three really great wins and I see the next two weeks as crucial in defining the season.”

Simpson said the side’s connections had clicked in the past two weeks and, after a number of injuries, the Swans were playing better netball than at the start of the season.

“At the end of the day we need to start putting four quarters together,” Simpson said.

“What needs to happen is we need to come to play, we are well and truly aware they’re (Tatura) a great team.”

Swan Sophie Atkinson will be one to look out for this week, having played well the past three games, while young talents Chloe Brown and Ash McMahon are set to be on the bench.

Goal keeper Niamh Thorn will remain out of the squad injured, however, Erin Hopkins has stepped up into the role, combining well with Hannah Garner and Klarindah Hudson.

“To be honest, the big difference is we’ve been playing a team game, trying to create a team that plays for each other, it’s not been one person that’s won the game,” Simpson said.

For Tatura it has been a frustrating start to the campaign, with a talented list unable to find results.

Picking up one win from the first seven rounds, the Bulldogs will be hungry to start making inroads on the table.

A win this week will be crucial if the side is to be in contention for finals, while a loss could well have them miss out on a post-season berth.

Saturday’s game is sure to be a close one, with play set to begin at 2.15pm at Shepparton’s Princess Park.