By Michael Scalzo

The reigning premiers and dominant side of the previous three seasons is there again in 2022 and poised to defend its league title. 

The Demons, while not starting this finals series as minor premiers – for the first time in a while – are in no worse shape this time around; even if their rivals think they might be there for the taking. 

For many, they are still the benchmark of the competition – even if Kalkee and Edenhope-Apsley got the better of them this season. 

Back in round seven, the Saints jumped the Demons and took a 10-goal lead into the final term before the Demons found their gear and clawed back nine of them. 

A loss to the Kees the week before makes the round-six-seven blip on the Demons’ record perhaps seem larger than in reality

Two incredibly close games for the Demons, and the first they had lost in a while, was perhaps a chance to regroup and bounce back – which they did. 

Wins filled their column until the Saints travelled to the Grampians foothills for a round-15 rematch on Laharum’s courts with the Saints putting another dent in the Demons’ charge towards a three-peat. 

With players who have spent years together and know how each other operates better than any other, Laharum has continued to play elite quality netball, while blooding new talent. 

With a new challenge in front of them and with their closest rivals now teams that have come out of the clouds to try and take their mantle, the Demons netballers have new and previously unconsidered sides to tackle this finals series. 

Set to face Kalkee on semi-final Sunday in a week’s time, Laharum will have to navigate Paula Weidermann’s Kalkee players to book a spot in the penultimate round of sport. 

With Caitlin Story shooting more than 430 goals during the home-and-away season, averaging more 31 goals a game, and her shooting partner Maddie Iredell putting away more than 300 for the year, the Demons can muster a score to beat anyone. 

A Grade playing coach Erin Mellington, speaking to The Weekly Advertiser in the pre-season, talked about her belief in her side’s ‘winning formula’. 

“We are all playing for the same reason and working towards the same goals. Importantly, we are all really good friends and have lots of fun together,” she said. 

While some in the league might hope for a new title holder, Laharum will know how to make its formula work in a finals series. 

And a post-COVID-restriction return to the top for the Demons would be the most fun to Laharum netballers, as teams spend another summer working out how to supplant them. 

Players to watch

Liv Jones

A league best-and-fairest winner in 2021, Jones continues to play an integral role as a centre. Her fast movement down the court drives her team forward to help outrun their opponents. 

Maddie Iredell

A dependable shooter for the Laharum unit, Iredell averages 24 goals a game and is often seen feeding the ball well into her partnering goalie. 

Laharum’s road to the finals

Coaches: Caitlin Story and Erin Mellington

 

Round 1: W. 58 d Swifts 24. Home.

Round 2: W. 72 d Rupanyup 34. Away.

Round 3: W. 49 d Jeparit-Rainbow 35. Home.

Round 4: W. 51 d Natimuk United 23. Home. 

Round 5: W. 50 d Noradjuha-Quantong 27. Away. 

Round 6: L. 37 to Kalkee 43. Home.** 

Round 7: L. 42 to Edenhope-Apsley 43. Away. 

Round 8: W. d Taylors Lake (no game).

Round 9: W. 84 d Pimpinio 27. Home. 

Round 10: W. 46 d Kaniva-Leeor United 35. Away.  

Round 11: W. 51 d Harrow-Balmoral 46. Home.

Round 12:  W. 55 d Swifts 34. Away. 

Round 13: W. 76 d Rupanyup 15. Home. 

Round 14: W. 96 d Pimpinio 29. Away.* 

Round 15: L. 38 to Edenhope-Apsley 43. Home.

Round 16: W. 58 to Jeparit-Rainbow 39. Away.

* Highest score ** Lowest score

Total: Won: 13. Lost: 3. For: 873. Against: 497. Points: 52. Percentage: 175.65. 

The entire August 17, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!