Vendor

Vice-captain Dunkley

FORMER Sale netballer Lara Dunkley has been announced as Queensland Firebirds vice-captain, highlighting her impressive rise to the top league. The energetic wing attack made the move from the Melbourne Vixens to the Firebirds as a replacement player for the 2020 season, searching for more regular court time. After impressing the Firebirds coaching staff the charismatic-Victorian decided to call Brisbane home – signing a contract for 2021. Fast forward another 12 months and Dunkley not only finds herself making a significant impact in the mid-court but voted vice-captain by her teammates. “To be named vice-captain is an absolute honour and something I will treasure forever,” Dunkley said speaking on the Firebirds website. “I have a special bond with this group of girls and cannot wait to push the bar higher and take on the 2022 season with everyone involved at the purple club.” Leadership isn’t new to the 26-year-old, having held similar roles at various stages of her netball career, giving her confidence to serve the club proudly. Those that have worked closely with Dunkley know she has a natural ability to bring people together, and that is exactly what she plans to do again this year. “Leadership I feel comes quite natural to me, as I am a big believer in putting the team first and I try my hardest to ensure we all bond on and off the court,” the newly appointed vice-captain explained. “Being a team first leader, I truly believe it takes the whole team and club being on board to gain success. “I will ensure our group fulfils this, to be the best they can and get the best out of everyone around them, pushing ourselves to be comfortable being uncomfortable in all situations we face. “Everyone that’s a part of the purple family is my first priority, and I will do whatever it takes when it comes to achieving great things together in 2022.” Queensland Firebirds head coach Megan Anderson said she was not surprised by Dunkley’s

Lara Dunkley, pictured playing for Sale, has been named vice-captain of the Queensland Firebirds.

Photo: File.

appointment, explaining how players naturally gravitate towards her. Anderson further described the talented midcourt player as almost a barometer of the team, as well as a strong player with a never-say-die attitude. “Lara was really emotional when I told her she had been chosen as vice-captain, she was so honoured that her teammates had shown the faith in her,” the Firebirds coach revealed. “It’s certainly something she should be proud of, the resilience, positive attitude and love for competing is what has brought her to this position when others would have given up.” Dunkley will support teammate and captain Kim Ravaillion in leading the Firebirds, a combination their coach believes will work extremely well. “I really do think their personalities will complement each other well and have the ability to get the best out of the team in any situation we face this year,” Anderson said. “Alone they are powerful, inspiring and such great team players, but together they will form such a strong bond and unit and be just a tower of strength for the Firebirds in 2022.” Ravaillion also echoed the thoughts of Anderson as she expressed her excitement to have Dunkley supporting her as the Firebirds head into a new season full of hope. “Larzy is a great wingman not only on the court but as my vice,” she said. “Lara brings so much passion to the Firebirds' environment, she goes above and beyond to make those around her feel special. She is the ying to my yang and I can’t wait to lead this awesome group of girls with her by my side.”

The Drop Kicks start with a flyer

Hillclimb on this Saturday

MAFFRA And District Car Club will hold Round 1 of the Boisdale Hillclimb Series this Sunday. Following another challenging year, MADCC is looking forward to the opening round for the 2022 racing season. A large field of drivers is expected in a variety of race cars, all eager to compete on the gravel hillclimb track. Racing will commence at 10am, with free entry to all spectators and a kiosk will be open throughout the event. The Boisdale Hillclimb Track is located at 239 Boisdale / Newry Road, Boisdale. Further information is available at www. madcc.com.au or contact Adrian Britton on 0418 561 053. SALE Touch returned to full competition last Wednesday night with The Drop Kicks showing the way with two strong wins for the season; in the first round they defeated the Mustangs 13-5; last Wednesday night they continued their winning run by defeating C.A.T./Phoenix 14-4. Tawh Ashby top scored with seven tries taking his tally for the season to eight. Leigh Taiapa crossed four times taking his tally to seven. Andrew Campbell scored two with Xavier Greig one. The Drop Kicks are a very fast and talented team and perhaps Ashby is the fastest player in the competition. C.A.T./Phoenix had four individual try scorers in Kate and Marinda Laskowski together with Georgia Martin and Kyung Stewart. The try of the game was made by young 11-yearold Marinda Laskowski when she marked a ball and despite fierce opposition, casually placed the ball down to score. Best players were Leigh Taiapa, Stewart, Tawh Ashby, Aysia Tepatu and Kate Laskowski. Laskowski won the encouragement award. The Mustangs defeated the Pink Panthers 8-3. The game was played in two halves with each team scoring three tries in the first-half. In the second-half, the Mustangs added five tries while keeping the Panthers scoreless. Top scorer for the Mustangs was Antonia Keedle-Graedeza with three tries. Jordan Frend crossed for two, with Haley Carstairs, Nicola and Ryan Rosenberger each scoring one. Alex Rennex top scored for the Panthers with two tries. Albert Van de Vyver scored one. Best players were Albert Van de Vyver, Ryan Rosenberger, Corey Siebel, Mia Van de Vyver and Nicola Rosenberger. In the final game for the night Longford Trailer Hire defeated Porky’s 10-6. The ex-Nagle players contributed nine of the team’s total score. Mason Annear, Kyle Grummisch and Jack Neal each scored three tries and Brodie Towers one. Leigh Mawley was the top-scorer for Porky’s with two tries. Anouk Meereboer, Dai Rushdi, Steve Wright and Alex Clark each added one. Best players were Grummisch, Rushdi, Oscar Crunden-Smith, Clark and Isla McCarthy. Anouk Meereboer won the encouragement award. Tomorrow night at 6.30pm, The Drop Kicks play Longford Trailer Hire [referee Porky’s] and Phoenix/C.A.T.’s play Pink Panthers [referee Mustangs]. At 7.20pm Porky’s plays Mustangs [referee Longford Trailer Hire].

Tennis aces getting set for championship

Josh Farrell

THE Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association will hold its annual championship on Sunday, February 27 at the Sale Tennis Club. Mitch Allman took out last year's championship in the men's open singles which was his fourth in recent memory and the ladies have had four different winners showing that competition will be stiff. The event will consist of a men's and women's open event and then competitions for Under-10's upwards. Everyone who competes in the WGTA has the option to enter the competition with a number of prizes. For the first time the competition will have cash prizes with $125 going to the winner of the men's and women's events sponsored by Star of the South. The men's and ladies doubles will also have prizemoney and the under 18's will have gift cards in lieu of cash prizes. Entry forms will be available from clubs soon and all participants are encouraged to enter. Eli Sims won the Under-18 boys' last year and the Under-18 girls saw Amber Archer take it out, but it is always a very competitive competition as new athletes move into the age bracket. WGTA president Lisa Harrison is excited for the competition and the potential for new winners to be crowned. "I am sure there will be a few young stars hoping to win this year in the juniors and the open event," she said. "Last year was the first year in a long time so we hope that this continues this year and years ahead."

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