By Kieran Iles
BFNL open netball coach Tarryn Rymer says the team will go into this Saturday’s clash against Ovens and Murray at the QEO in ‘good hands’ under the leadership of Chelsea Sartori and Ruby Barkmeyer.
The Kangaroo Flat pair have been respectively crowned captain and vice-captain of a talent-laden 10-player squad, bringing with them a wealth of BFNL and Victorian Netball League (VNL) experience, and in Barkmeyer’s case, Suncorp Super Netball credentials.
They were premiership teammates with Kangaroo Flat in 2016 and again last year as the Roos capped an unbeaten season with an eight-goal victory over fierce rival Sandhurst.
Two-time Betty Thompson Medal winner Sartori and former SSN Vixens goaler Barkmeyer are among four of last year’s premiership line-up in the BFNL team, together with 2019 Betty Thompson medallist Ash Ryan and goaler Abbey Ryan.
Rymer hailed both leaders as ‘champions of the interleague concept’, who had demonstrated their commitment to representing the league by agreeing to play immediately once asked.
“Both Chelsea and Ruby were keen to get on board early, be involved and represent the league with no prompting,” she said.
“It felt like Chels was like, ‘I’m available, let’s do it’.
“Their eagerness to represent the league shone through.
“You can see it with both girls, their leadership on and off the court.
“It’s like they have taken their Kangaroo Flat dress off and put a BFNL one on and nothing has changed.
“That’s the leadership we want to see on court against Ovens and Murray this Saturday.
“Ruby has that nice control and displays a real calming effect on court and is able to create play.
“And I love how Chelsea just steps up in big moments; she just never gives up.
“They set an example on and off the court with their work rate and ethic and their loyalty.
“I feel the team is in good hands.”
Known for her tenacity, and relentless work rate, Sartori will be the linchpin in a classy midcourt featuring Roos teammate Ash Ryan, Sandhurst’s Meg Williams and wing defence options Sophie Shoebridge (Sandhurst) and Kirby Elliott (Gisborne).
Barkmeyer will join South Bendigo powerhouse Gabe Richards and Abbey Ryan in one of the most formidable goal shooting units to have ever stepped foot on the QEO courts.
Proud to be leading the BFNL into battle, Sartori - a three-time A-grade premiership player – believed the team could not have bonded and gelled more quickly.
“Just the drills at training have been flowing very nicely,” she said.
“Having Gabe back there in goal shooter is amazing.
“Taz (Rymer) has done an excellent job picking this squad … lots of connections.
“We pretty much have most of the Kangaroo Flat attack end, and Abbey and Ash (Ryan) used to play with Gabe at Golden Square back in the day.
“Meg (Williams) and I have played with Gabe at Bendigo Strikers and I have played with Sophie Shoebridge before in the VNL (at Boroondara Express).
“And then most of our defensive end are from Gisborne, so Taz has done a wonderful job putting it together.”
Saturday’s clash will be the BFNL’s first standalone interleague clash since 2018, when the league defeated Outer East.
Four of the team members on that day - Sartori, Abbey and Ash Ryan and Williams – will again don the blue and yellow against Ovens and Murray.
TEAMS
Bendigo: Kirby Elliott, Charlee Kemp, Tilly Shepherd (Gisborne), Ruby Barkmeyer, Abbey Ryan, Ash Ryan, Chelsea Sartori (Kangaroo Flat), Sophie Shoebridge, Meg Williams (Sandhurst), Gabe Richards (South Bendigo).
Ovens and Murray: Mikaela Trethowan (Corowa-Rutherglen), Molly Moylan, Brielle Reeves, Cara Woodman (Wodonga), Taylor Donelan, Blaynee House, Mackensey House, Eliza Mooney, Emily Stewart, Maggie St John (Wodonga Raiders), Maddy Allen, Gemma Muldoon (Yarrawonga).
