After making the semi-finals for the past three seasons the Maitland Mustangs women are on track to go a step further in 2018.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The table-topping state division one team, who have dropped just one game for the season, are at home on Saturday and are looking for a big crowd to cheer them on against the Tamworth Thunderbolts.
The women’s home game is part of the Maitland Mustangs “I AM A Girl” round with the youth men in action from 4pm, the women hitting the court at 6pm and championship men at 8pm.
“It’s the best start we’ve had over the last few year,” Mustangs player Karlee Grayson said during the week.
“We’ve made the semi-finals for the past three years but haven’t progressed from the semi-finals.
“This year I think it is ours to lose.”
Teammate Hannah Fox agrees pointing out they had beaten seven of the other eight teams in the competition.
“We’ve beaten everyone apart from Wagga, who we lost an away game to. We were missing a fair few players for that game,” Fox said.
“We probably haven’t had a full team available all year so our results are really good considering.”
Fox and Grayson were joined by teammates Amanda Bendeich and Shakera Reilly at the Maitland Federation Centre for a photo to promote this Saturday night’s “I AM A Girl” games and to highlight their incredible start to the season.
Bendeich, the most experienced of the quartet, said the team always had plenty of talent but had gelled incredibly well under 2018 coach Mark Wawszkowicz.
She said he had a more relaxed approach to coaching, kept things simple and had great trust in the playing group.
“The pressure to win has been taken off and we are playing so much better as a team,” she said.
“It’s a really nice blend of younger players and experience. The younger players bring a real enthusiasm and everyone is benefitting from that energy.”
The Mustangs are three wins clear of their nearest rival Coff Harbour Suns who they defeated 55-52 at Coffs Harbour in their most recent out two weeks ago.
Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga and Shoalhaven Tigers are equal on four wins from seven games and have a game in hand on the Mustangs.
They have home games against Wagga Wagga Blaze (July 14), Coffs Harbour (July 21) before a final round clash away against the Newcastle Hunters.
The Maitland youth men and championship men are both in action against Central Coast on Saturday.
