THERE’S an old cliche which has floated around sport for a long, long time - with every win you come closer to your next loss.
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Not that anyone told Orange’s GrainCorp Central West State League team.
Orange has won an unprecedented 19-straight Central West State League titles with their campaign for a 20th kicking off on Sunday in Bathurst, and selectors have named a blockbuster squad for the occasion.
Orange faced much stiffer competition in the top division last year, being pushed - and beaten in a preliminary round game - by Dubbo, and while some are suggesting 2015 could be the year the reign ends, Orange Netball Association president Jacki Jasprizza isn’t buying into any of that.
“No, I think we’re definitely still a very good title chance,” she said.
Orange veterans Tegan Dray, Erin Johnstone, Danielle Turner, Amanda Hurford, Sinead Davis and Sheryll Selwood will turn out again, and will be joined in the top side by young guns Brigette Jasprizza, Abby Tilburg, Kate Eslick, Shannen Downer, Lauren Williams and Brooke Burcher.
“It’s based around blooding some of the younger players,” Jasprizza said.
“It’s no secret the average age of our top state league side was creeping up, so they’re giving some of the younger girls some experience.”
Orange will also boast a second team in division one, and has also entered sides in the under 17 division and the new, under 15 division.
Orange A and B will take on two Bathurst sides, Cowra and Dubbo in the top tier, Bathurst, Cowra and Blayney in under 17s and Lithgow, Condobolin and Cowra in under 15s.
With one eye of development, Orange’s under 15 State Age Championship team will contest the under 17 division, while the under 14 state age team will play in the under 15 competition.
“It will be a good challenge for the two junior teams,” Jasprizza said.
“I think they’ll do pretty well, they’re both good sides. And we’d love to go one-two in the top division like we did a couple of years ago, as well.”
Play kicks off on Sunday at 9am at Bathurst
ORANGE A: Sinead Davis, Tegan Dray, Erin Johnstone, Brooke Burcher, Bridgette Jasprizza, Abby Tilburg, Amanda Hurford, Kate Eslick, Shannon Downer, Sheryll Selwood, Lauren Williams, Danielle Turner.
ORANGE B: Beth Curtin, Tara Nagle, Emily Brisbane, Shannon Kavanagh, Erin Turner, Chelsea Amone, Kirsten McIntyre, Neve Tufuga, Katie Matthews, Kellie Watson, Holly Harris, Laura Harris.
ORANGE U/17: Thea Allen, Mariah Robinson, Lucy Brisbane, Madison Cole, Olivia Fitzpatrick, Demi Parry-Jones, Catie Harvey, Anna Matthews, Cheynoah Merchant, Zali Nagle, Lilly Porch
ORANGE U/15: Paige Carroll, Gidget Hall, Siara Jawai, Millie Lenehan, Hannah Marsh, Kate Mastronardi, Annie Miller, Georgia Poole, Sophie Sheehan, Talia Tufuga.
