Melton Centrals coach Randy Pereira is hopeful star shooter Rebecca Morabito will play in the forthcoming Riddell District Netball League season.
Before Christmas, Pereira listed Morabito as a one per cent chance to play following the Centrals’ 2014 premiership success.
But he now believes the odds have increased to 60 per cent with Morabito reconsidering her plans to take a year off.
“I spoke to Bec this morning and I’m still optimistic that I’ll be able to get her over the line,” Pereira said last week.
“She is softening a little bit so we will wait and see. We have got our fingers crossed. At this stage, we feel there’s probably more chance of her playing.”
Pereira’s eagerness to get Morabito back for another year is understandable.
The shooter has dominated the RDNL competition in recent years and led the Centrals to the flag last season.
She was outstanding in the club’s grand final win against Riddell, proving a constant headache for defenders.
The Centrals have taken some steps to cover her potential loss, signing Shelby Brady from Victorian Netball League club North East Blaze.
“Shelby played division 1 with Blaze last year and is a good gaoler,” Pereira said.
“She started playing under-19s with us a few years ago and then last year played under-19s with Blaze.
“She’s tallish so that will give us a goaler with a bit of height. It could also give us three goalers in our squad, which is good.”
Of last year’s premiership side, Rebecca Wilson will not be returning as she’s taking a break.
Pereira believes last year’s runners up, Riddell, will be among the teams to beat in the coming season.
“Riddell have added a few VNL girls so they will be strong again,” he said.
“With the VNL season starting early because of the netball World Cup, it means those players are going to be available at the business end of the season.
“Rockbank has recruited pretty well, too, so it will be interesting to see how they go.”
The RDNL season begins next month.
