By Nick Creely
A vastly new look Dandenong Rangers outfit will roll onto the court in their opening round WNBL clash with Melbourne Boomers on 5 October, but coach Larissa Anderson is excited about what the 2017/18 season will bring.
With Tayla Roberts, Laia Palau, Kiera Rowe, Rebecca Pizzey, Tess Lavey, Kayla Pedersen and Carley Mijovic all signing up for the club this season, Anderson simply can’t wait to see what her revamped squad can do.
“It’s a great feeling (the season getting closer) – we’ve had three games now and got better each match – we are finding our feet, we have a couple of new faces, so it’s just about getting us much game time and training together to get ready because we are just two weeks away,” she said.
“We’ve got a much better mix of veterans – we are still very young across the board, but you can just tell that we have just that bit more experience this year, so that’s shaping well – the likes of Sara (Blicavs) and Steph (Blicavs) are just getting better and better, as well as Amelia (Todhunter) helping lead from the front.”
While Anderson admits the transitional phase and a new list of players to work with was initially difficult, she now believes it has given her group real drive heading into the season.
“Unfortunately some of the change was unintended with players leaving and retiring – some of it was lifestyle and others just decided leaving, so there was more change than we anticipated, so pre-season felt a bit flat early, and its only now that I’ve realised how proud we should be in playing in a grand final in our second year together,” she said.
“We’re always very particular in who we target because of our strong culture, and that’s a thing we’re proud of.
“I think the girls have fitted in beautifully and there’s a really good feeling among the group.
“Everyone’s really got the fire in the belly and everyone that’s come to us feels that this is the environment to play at their best and they’re all hungry for success.”
With a packed crowd expected on Thursday 5 October at Dandenong Stadium in the WNBL’s first clash in what is set to be a historic season with the new deal with Fox Sports, excitement is certainly building.
“We’ve got Boomers first up and that’s always a great rivalry – we played them last week (in a practice match) and they just got us – it was our first game and it was their third and it certainly felt like that,” Anderson said.
“It’s going to be a different look- we always look forward to our games against the Boomers – we’re all great friends off the floor, but once we’re on the floor its game on.”
