GISBORNE coach Kim Bailey expects the Bulldogs to be a stronger team in 2019, despite the loss of a pair of players from last season’s grand final line-up.
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The Bulldogs’ ended a five-year grand final drought by qualifying for last season’s premiership decider, but were beaten in extra-time by Sandhurst 53-47.
READ MORE – Grand final recap
But despite the loss of impressive young defender Melinda Luke (Riddell District league) and class goal attack Rachel McKenzie, Bailey was confident the club had the necessary depth and recruits to take the next step.
“We’ve maintained the same nucleus of the team and added a couple of good new ones, so we are shaping okay,” she said.
“The way 2018 ended was a little disappointing, when you play your worst three quarters for the season it’s very disappointing.
“It’s something the girls need to atone for – and me too.
“As a collective we need to ensure that doesn’t happen again and get ourselves back into another grand final as they don’t come around very often.”
The ‘nucleus’ or core, which Bailey refers to, includes reigning Betty Thompson Medal winner Maddy Stewart, goal shooting ace Ella Bertachinni, fellow VNL performer Claire Vearing, Tiana Newman and young defender Keara Fitzgerald.
While she is convinced her side would be improved, Bailey was wary that others too could lay similar claims.
She pointed to Eaglehawk, which has added inter-league defender Allira Holmes as a playing coach, and Kangaroo Flat as two of last season’s other finalists who have appeared to have strengthened their playing stocks during the off-season.
We’ve maintained the same nucleus of the team and added a couple of good new ones, so we are shaping okay.
- Kim Bailey
As for the Bulldogs’ 2018 grand final nemesis Sandhurst, Bailey was even more frank.
“There is no doubt they are going to be strong again – no doubt at all,” she said of the Dragons, who will be chasing a third-straight consecutive premiership crown.
The 2019 season will be Bailey’s second in charge at Gisborne.
Her first marked a return to senior football-netball league ranks following a four year absence.
She previously coached Sunbury Lions to an A-grade flag in the Ballarat Football League and also Diggers Rest in the Riddell District league.
Despite the demise of Ballarat Sovereigns, Bailey will continue to pull double duty by coaching in the Victorian Netball League in 2019.
The former Sovereigns division one coach and championship assistant will coach Geelong Cougars division one team, and has recently returned to her former role as AFL Goldfields netball manager.
In other Gisborne coaching appointments, Tarryn Rymer will lead the Bulldogs’ A-reserve team, Nathan Thompson will take charge of B-grade, Sharon Parfrey remains as B-reserve coach, while Maddy Stewart will again coach the 17-and-under team.
READ MORE: – Gisborne star wins Betty Thompson Medal
