Outraged Orioles Take Shot At Scheduling

Newcastle Herald

Thursday May 3, 2007

RENEE VALENTINE

PERTH Orioles are fuming about the scheduling that resulted in their nightmare trip to Grafton to start their 2007 national netball league campaign.

The Orioles spent a total of 10 hours in three airports getting to Grafton to play the Hunter Jaegers and arrived just four hours before the match. The Jaegers led from the outset and beat their West Australian rivals 56-51.

Netball Australia has scheduled matches in several regional areas this year to take the game to more regional fans.

But Orioles coach Sue Gaudion blasted her side's first assignment.

"We have no problems with travelling to Sydney or to Melbourne or to Adelaide that's part and parcel of our course, but when we then have to go and play additional games in country areas, I think the decision making is disgraceful," Gaudion said. "It's really frustrating and I would say amazingly amateur . . . it's bloody ludicrous."

? The relatively unknown Jaegers side are expected to surprise a number of teams this season because several of their players are previously unseen by national league rivals.

But a few of their rookies will be secrets no longer after tomorrow night when the Jaegers' match against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide is televised live on ABC2 from 8pm.

? Defending champions the Sydney Swifts are the overwhelming favourites to win the final national netball league crown.

They are priced at $1.30 with TAB Sportsbet to win back-to-back titles after their season-opening 54-47 win over Adelaide.

The Thunderbirds are $4.25 to win and Melbourne Phoenix $7.00.

Queensland Firebirds are $26, Melbourne Kestrels $34, Hunter Jaegers $81, Perth Orioles $151 and the AIS Canberra Darters are the rank outsiders at $351.

? The Jaegers will play for the Ronald McDonald Charity Cup when they host Melbourne Phoenix in their first home game of the season at Newcastle Entertainment Centre next week.

The match is on Friday, May 11, and $1 from every ticket sold goes towards Ronald McDonald House.

Meanwhile, Jaegers members will host a pre-match function for season-pass holders at 6pm.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home