Tigers break long drought

Week four of the 2017 WA Netball League season marked a memorable evening for the Redink Homes Midwest Tigers, who broke through for their first win in five years.

With a roaring home crowd behind them last Saturday, Adelle Auld’s side emphatically took care of the Wheatbelt Flames, 46-35.

The Flames may have pipped the Tigers 44-43 the following day, but nothing could damp the spirits in the Tigers camp.

After the game, Auld said all the members of the squad were in the locker room before Saturday’s game, which she believed had a profound effect on the weekend’s results.

“We’ve got such a new squad this year that a lot of them haven’t had the opportunity to see what actually goes on behind the scenes,” she said.

“They’ve been training, been to the development camps and we’ve talked repeatedly about the intensity required at this level of netball — but I suppose for a lot of them, they haven’t even seen this level of netball to see what we were talking about.

“It was really important to get the young players who weren’t named in the 12 (game squad), involved in the rooms pre-game — they were set a challenge for the weekend to focus on what went on court and, if they were involved, what would they do.”

Saturday’s win was enhanced by excellent work in attack from Sophie Vince (17 goals from 29 attempts), Tyra Austin (29 from 44 attempts) and the indispensable Abby Maynard.

Maynard’s heroics over both games ensured she received the Miranda Rounsevell Medal as the player of the weekend.

Committed to development, Auld said she was keen to further the progress of her squad throughout the season, who have a tricky road trip ahead of them in the coming weeks.

“I can’t question the commitment or professionalism of our team. I think the professionalism from our athletes who didn’t take to the court and sat on the bench — along with our athletes who sat on the goal line and cheered for their team — was outstanding,” she said.