CITY West Falcons will mount a Victorian Netball League premiership defence without two of their most experienced campaigners.
The Falcons head into tonight’s preseason opener minus key bookends Kathleen Knott and Peta Fay.
Knott, one of the VNL’s most feared sharpshooters, will be out for the season with a serious knee injury.
Fay, the detonator of opposition attack in the goalkeeper post, is pregnant and will spend the season on the sidelines.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said it would give the reigning champions a chance to blood some of their exciting youngsters.
“It’ll be a bit of a test for us this year. We’ve brought a few of the young ones up.”
Undoubtedly the biggest void to fill is that left by Knott, who was the main component of the VNL’s top offence last season.
While they are not exactly like for like, Knott’s replacement is as close to home as it comes. The Falcons have brought in her sister, Julia, from the Boroondara Genesis. “She’s a bit younger than ‘Kat’ and a different style of player, so it will be interesting to see how she goes,” Lind said.
“She’s a little bit more of a moving goaler, but she does hold as well. She’s a bit more of a combination of both.”
Kathleen Knott and young goal attack Maggie Lind played in 95 per cent of the Falcons’ games last season.
They were far and away the most successful attacking circle combination in the league.
Coach Lind knows this preseason will be about meshing the new combo, along with circle target Darcy Saunders, who will be pushing for a place on the front line.
On the back end, Victorian 19-and-under representative Emily Mannix will get first crack at Fay’s defensive post.
The Falcons open preseason tonight with shortened games against Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels (8.20) and UB Ballarat Pride (9pm) at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
The VU-Western Lightning also have a double bill with games against Southern Saints (8.20) and Monash University Central (9pm).
