FAST FACTS
COACHES: STEPH SMITH-GORRIE AND ELSIE BOYER 2023 FINISH: FOURTH (13-7)
If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
That’s the rightful approach made by Tatura after the Bulldogs made one of the most storied improvements in recent Goulburn Valley League history.
Tatura’s fourth-place finish last season, compared to finishing 11th in the previous campaign, was enough of a jump to warrant a go-around with the same playing contingent.
Not everything is a carbon-copy of 2023, however.
Steph Smith-Gorrie and Elsie Boyer form a fresh-faced playing coach duo, supported by Fiona Boyer from the sidelines.
“The group as a whole, I think every single player was keen to stay together,” Smith-Gorrie said.
“We all really enjoyed last year both on and off the court, so if everyone was keen to stay around, it was like ‘well, we just work a bit harder’.
“Having 12 months together, it’s easier now just to continue on, no questions asked, and just get on with it.”
There’s no denying the calibre of Tatura’s elected nine is upper echelon.
Molly Kennedy, Jasmine Fraser and Boyer will all feature in the Victorian Netball League in addition to their GVL duties, while the Bulldogs have retained genuine guns in the form of Julia Clarke, Ash Quinn and Gaye Eaton Medallist Molly Boyle.
“We’ll just continue on into this year, hopefully finish in the top six and go one better than last year,” Smith-Gorrie said.