ANZ STATE LEAGUE Opening Round Preview

The 2015 ANZ STATE LEAGUE begins this Saturday 7th of February at Aurora Sports Stadium with all clubs in action across the opening gala weekend. 

The 2015 season is the second year of an initial three year partnership with league naming rights sponsor ANZ which sees the league grow from strength to strength as Tasmania’s premier netball competition. 

HON. WILL HODGMAN, PREMIER will officially open the season at 4.30pm Saturday afternoon, joining with Netball Tasmania President LIZ BANKS  and ANZ Tasmania representatives to officially launch the season. 

On court across the weekend sees six off the eight clubs play twice with Northern Hawks and Karana the only sides not to play a double header on the opening weekend. Interestingly each match features a top four team from 2014 up against a bottom four side from 2014 so it should provide an early sign of the sides on the up and those falling down from their 2014 ladder position. 

St Lukes Karana Flames and Bellamy Organic Cavaliers meet on Sunday in what on paper appears to be the game of the round. Karana under the tutelage of former premiership coach Lou Carter will look to be one of the big improvers of season 2015 after finishing one spot out of the finals last year. Carter acknowledged that Cavaliers remain one of the competitions strongest but said her side was aiming for finals in 2015. 

“Competition will be evenly contested again in 2015 with Cavaliers and Arrows the benchmark on paper.  Karana is looking forward to a fresh approach with youth and experience. Karana will focus on relentless one on one defence and quick direct netball and although developing the goal is for finals in 2015.” Carter said. 

Cavaliers coach Lynda Colgrave said her side her who for much of the 2014 season were considered premiership favourites before a disappointing finals campaign were looking to put the inconsistencies of last year behind them following hard work over the off season. 

“We are striving to put the inconsistencies of last year behind us and look towards the 2015 season. We have worked hard in the off season and now can’t wait to hit the court. We have three new faces in our team and we think they will bring a new outlook to the team and fit in well with our already established senior players.” Colgrave said.