Colac district netball selectors have put hopes of defending their western region state league title behind a star-studded defensive triple threat.
New state league team coach Leah Ousey has managed to bring together the district’s three best A Grade defenders for the Warrnambool-based tournament starting in January next year.
Ousey, coach of 2009 A Grade premiers Irrewarra-Beeac, has secured the services of her star goal defender Emma Hillman as well as A Grade under-21 rising star award winners Nadine McNamara, South Colac, and Paige Mason, Simpson.
The squad also includes three high-quality goalers – Irrewarra-Beeac sharp shooter Errin Schaeffer, reigning A Grade best and fairest winner Candi Robbins and Birregurra coach Abbey Spokes.    
Ten-time premiership champion Rachel Rodger will again be the team’s starting centre and her Bombers team-mate Emily Dooley is also likely to get a midcourt role.
But Rodger’s long-time sidekick, Irrewarra-Beeac wing attack Elissa Rodger, is not in the squad for next year’s championship.
State league grand final MVP Jessica Batt is also an omission from the 2009 group.    
Colac district defeated Hampden in this year’s tournament grand final and Ousey said she believed her team had just as much talent as the previous squad.      
“Certainly with the team we’ve got we would have to be aiming for the grand final again,” Ousey said.
“With the inclusions we’ve brought in to that main group, I can’t see why we wouldn’t be just as competitive as they’ve been in previous years,” she said.
Seven players remain from the 2009 championship team and Ousey said the in-built chemistry would help the playing group make the change from regular-season rivals to state league team-mates.
“Obviously we’ll need to try and get together and gell fairly quickly but I’m confident these girls will be able to adjust,” Ousey said.
We’ve still got that main group from last season so that certainly makes it easier because they’ve already made that adjustment before in a way.” 
The squad will begin training on December 4.

ONE OF THE BEST: South Colac’s Nadine McNamara is one of three star defenders in Colac district’s western region state league squad.