ELMORE coach Sue Borserio has praised her injury and illness-ravaged side after a gutsy 24 goal win over North Bendigo on Saturday.
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The Bloods, who sit fourth on the ladder with a 3-3 record, have suffered through a succession of injuries this season, and are yet to field the same side twice through the first six rounds.
A growing list of players to have missed games has included star recruit Ruby Barkmeyer (injury and ANL commitments), Carly Demeo, Steph Donnellon, Eloise Murray, Mel Oliver, Samantha Borserio (all through injury), Cayde Hayes (illness), and Ally Rosaia (overseas).
Barkmeyer was again missing against the Bulldogs following her call-up to play with the Victorian Fury in the Australian Netball League, as was young gun Hayes (ill), who only recently turned 15.
Combined with injuries to three of its A-reserve players, Borserio was left with just 13 players to fill her A-grade and A-reserve teams.
It's little wonder Borserio rates the 56-32 win over a tough North Bendigo, which has a win and a draw from five matches this season, with two of its losses coming by two goals or less, as arguably the Bloods' finest to date.
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She praised the 'solid' efforts of Abbey McLean and Chloe Whitfield, who stepped into the A-grade line-up to impress in what proved an even team performance.
"It was a team of best players, they all put into practice what we've been working on at training," the second-year Elmore coach said.
"They concentrated on 'being in the moment' and thinking about the process rather than the end result.
"Our defence was led by Caitlin McLachlan and her combining with 200 club game player Kelsey Niven and inter-league rep Issy Nichol-Smith, made for a formidable defence with their height and agility.
"Mel Oliver was on song shooting at 81 per cent and was unstoppable under the post."
While midcourter Hayes, who was just 14 when the season started, has naturally garnered much of the attention, Borserio has been delighted with the progress of several other of the club's exciting juniors, who have slotted in at senior level.
"Coached by two time 17-and-under premiership coach Hollie Hildebrandt, Elmore's junior players Abbey Hromenko, Sophie McLean and Regan Sparkes have all played a couple of games in A-res already this season," she said.
"Hollie is a great coach and is happy for the juniors to develop their game.
"Hromenko has been in the starting seven twice now and has dominated the goal circle in goal shooter and goal attack, relishing the opportunity to play the tough games.
"She's been amongst the best on at each appearance.
"Sophie and Regan are also learning to play the fast paced game of A-res and are continuing to grow in ability every time they play. "
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Elmore has a bye this weekend and will return to action on June 8 against Lockington-Bamawam United, before a clash against Heathcote (June 15) to round out its round one commitments.
The Bloods will be anything but idle during the break, with a commando-training night planned for Thursday.
"Will be working hard between now and the the LBU game, we have our team focus for the year and we are pushing all our teams from 15-and-under, who are currently unbeaten, through to A grade to make finals this year," Borserio said.
"I want every grade in finals, anything less will be a waste of time.
"Winning is addictive for me and I enjoy the contest - I turn up at every game expecting to win."
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