Jaegers Use League Lay-off To Reassess Final Surge

Newcastle Herald

Thursday July 26, 2007

Renee Valentine - Netball

CAPTAIN Jane Menzies said a four-week break in the national netball league has served as a timely reminder for the Hunter Jaegers.

The Jaegers will cease to exist next year when just one NSW team, likely to be based in Sydney, competes in the Trans Tasman competition, which will replace the national league.

Hunter are sixth with six points after 11 rounds but can double their season tally with a perfect record in their remaining three games.

The Jaegers have not played since losing 58-42 to Adelaide at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on July 1 but reignite their final campaign in Canberra tomorrow night.

"The break gives you a little bit of time to refocus. That's especially good this year because otherwise I think we might've lost the idea that it is the last three games ever," Menzies said.

"We had a bit of a talk before training the other night about the best way to approach these last three games and how to get as much out of them as possible.

"One of the things we talked about was really using the enthusiasm that will be generated by being the last three games.

"We have acknowledged that we are pushing on to the end of the year and the end of the competition and the Jaegers as we know them, and we're definitely aiming for some strong performances."

The Jaegers can record their second-best effort in a national league if they win their remaining games.

Their best campaign was in 2005 when they won seven of 14 games and missed the finals on goal percentage.

? Novocastrians have the last chance to see the Jaegers in action at home when they host the Queensland Firebirds tomorrow week.

Ironically, the Jaegers made their first-ever appearance at Newcastle Entertainment Centre against the Firebirds when they joined the competition in 2004.

? Five teams remain in the hunt for the Newcastle open championships finals with two rounds remaining.

Junction Hotel are fifth on 19 points, two behind fourth-placed Mattara, and will be desperate for victory against second-placed BNC Cricketers 1 (27) on Saturday.

BNC Cricketers 1 forfeited the ladder lead in a three-goal loss to new pacesetters Gazas Sportz (28) last weekend.

Gazas play BNC Cricketers 2, who are equal last with Hotel Delany on 12 points, and Delany play Mattara.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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