City West Falcons have never been afraid to shake up their methods to stay ahead of the game in the Victorian Netball League.
The Falcons are the most successful club in the competition’s history and have been trend-setters with their out-of-the-box training practices and game-day tactics.
The two-time defending champions will again have a target on their back and know the bar will have to be raised in order to achieve a three-peat.
PICTURE GALLERY: City West Falcons v Melbourne Vixens practice match
Their latest weapon is Challenge Laser Skirmish, a combat game the whole squad took part in earlier this month.
Falcons assistant coach Nicole Richardson told the Weekly the weekend training camp in Wallan ticked all of the boxes.
“It was something a little bit outside of the square for us,” she said.
“We were looking for something a little bit different, and laser skirmish fitted the bill.
“It achieved both of our goals in terms of challenging them physically and mentally while providing a bit of fun for them.”
In a laser skirmish, two teams of players were fitted out with laser taggers and a hat with sensors attached.
The taggers – or weapons – have different range, weight, clip size and reload time, meaning tactical nous is pivotal to success.
“They were all outside their comfort zone,” Richardson said.
“I don’t think many of them had played it before so it was a level playing field for all the girls.
“You could really see them having to work together strategically to come up with the best option to win the game.”
Maggie Lind had the eye of the tiger on the range. “She would put herself up as one of the hot snipers of the team,” Richardson said.
It is a big season for Lind, who will move into the mid-court in a team re-shuffle forced by the return of star goaler Kath Knott.
Knott, on the comeback trail after a knee injury ruined her 2013 season, has been given the green light to return to competitive action on a time limit.
She will partner her sister Julia in the attacking circle.
“It was pleasing to see her get through the camp unrestricted,” Richardson said.
“She’s pulled up well post camp and it was good to see her running around out there.”
Alice Teague-Neeld will move from division 1 to the championship side to add depth to the front court.
The Falcons’ first competitive action will be two practice matches against ANZ Championship side Melbourne Vixens, with the second taking place at the State Netball and Hockey Centre this afternoon.
