INGLEWOOD coach Mandy Burrill-Grinton is taking nothing but encouragement and positivity out her side's first foray back into A-grade since 2017, despite a loss to Marong.
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The Blues gave a valiant effort and even led at all three change of ends, before being overrun in the last term by a taller and more experienced combination.
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Burrill-Grinton believed her side would learn valuable lessons from the clash and would no doubt have plenty of fire in the belly for next week's clash against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine, which will be coming off a round one bye.
"I don't see it as a loss at all - it's a huge achievement for these girls and the club," she said.
"Without having an A-grade and the deficits over the years in our final results, that's a win for our rebuilding and culture-wise.
"Naturally you are a bit disappointed with a loss, but I've told the girls not to be upset about it. They were impressive, have done everything I've asked and I'm sure headed in the right direction.
"We aren't going to win massive amounts of games this year, but we're aiming to be competitive and competitive we were.
"We were in front there for stages, but credit to Marong, they identified the changes they needed to make and executed them.
"We lack a bit of height, which was telling in the end - both their goalers were exceptionally tall and we just didn't have the height to match it.
"It was a really competitive game for both teams and in the end I'm feeling positive."
A determined and passionate effort for the Blues was led by midcourters Tegan Phillips and Charlotte Edlin, while Tayla Simpson, who was runner-up in the league's C-grade best and fairest last season, stepped up to give her side a reliable target in the goal circle alongside Maddie Phillips, and finish with 24 goals.
Eleven of those goals came in a bright second quarter during which the Blues' stretched their lead from one goal to six at half time.
It was an emotional day for Inglewood on several fronts, with the club honouring former member Kaye Cohalan, the wife of new president Chris Cohalan, who lost her battle to cancer last year.
The best player on court in each grade of netball was awarded a special medal, with Marong midcourter Bianca Jones the recipient in A-grade.
Funds raised throughout the day are being donated to the Cancer Council.
With a roller coaster lead-up and first game done and dusted, attention now for Burrill-Grinton turns to the Blues' round two contest against the Bears.
She is confident her players will benefit from Saturday's experience.
"I reckon the girls will be more settled next week - without an A-grade (in 2018), the girls were walking into a bit of the unknown," she said.
"I'm feeling positive and I'm super-proud of today (Saturday)."
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