Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Werribee Devils Division One Women - 2016 Season Preview







The theme for the Werribee She-Devils 2016 season may well be "clean slate." It is literally a brand new start, with only two players (Lauren Conroy and Gabby Eaton) remaining on the roster from last season.

They were simply out of their depth in Big V Division One in 2015, managing six wins and navigating through a mid-season coaching change when Lloyd Klaman departed for work reasons and was replaced by Brant Lowry. Having to adjust to different coaching philosophies and styles during the season proved too difficult, and the team finished 9th with a win-loss record of 6-14.

Despite the disappointing and interrupted campaign in 2015, a new season brings new people, new opportunities and new hope for success. One suspects that their eyes will be focused forward, with no looking back in the rear-view mirror

Mahaela Jackson was appointed as head coach in October and will be assisted by Tim Devlin. On court, the team will be led by former Devils junior Elise Swan, who has spent time in Canada and more recently at rival Big V club Blackburn.

They will be joined by a mix of new and familiar faces. Nicole Greene and the Silcock sisters Jackie and Jasmine return to the team having played for the Devils previously, while Kirsty Neeves spent 2015 in the Devils Youth League team. Jenna Conroy adds energy and pace and joins her sister Lauren, while one third of the roster are from New Zealand thanks to new recruits Jessica Slade, Bec Van Kuyk, Jordie Cederwall and point guard Adoniah Lewis.

Two hallmarks of the 2016 She-Devils line-up are size and experience. There is a good mix of bigger bodies and small quicks, which should enable the girls to be more competitive down the stretch during a long season.

The She-Devils started their pre-season with wins against the Werribee Youth League team and an undermanned Keilor Thunder. They also came away from a road trip to Mildura with a victory and finished off with a 61-69 home loss against Division One newcomers Chelsea Gulls.

Big V Division One Women remains an 11-team competition in 2016, with 2015 champs Whittlesea replaced by Chelsea Gulls. The She-Devils venture away from home for their first match-up of the season, against the Camberwell Dragons on Sunday.

#
Name
Position
Height
Age
4
Kirsty Neeves
G
167cm
18
5
Jasmine Silcock
G
164cm
20
6
Jackie Silcock
G/F
176cm
26
7
Adoniah Lewis
G
179cm
24
9
Nicole Green
G/F
175cm
29
10
Gabby Eaton
G
164cm
25
11
Jenna Conroy
G
173cm
23
12
Elise Swan
G/F
182cm
37
14
Bex Van Kuyk
C
186cm
27
15
Lauren Conroy
G
172cm
23
23
Jessica Slade
F/C
182cm
26
32
Jordan Cederwall
G
169cm
22

Mahaela Jackson
Head Coach


Tim Devlin
Assistant Coach






Related stories:

Werribee Devils Committed To The Cause (Star Weekly, March 2016)

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