Warrnambool and District league coaches pick their trickiest individual opponent

One opposition player or a whole team can strike fear in a coach.

For some, a pair of tall goalies can cause a huge headache.

For others, an attacking defender can be just as destructive.

The Standard asked the 11 clubs which rival caused them the most concern.

Maggie Kline and Chelsea Quinn (Old Collegians goalies)

Cats coach Bridget Foster believes the dynamic duo are good around the goals.

"They're both tall and they're short and long-range shooters," she said.

"They can shoot from anywhere.

"There are two of them so you can't put your focus on just one."

Foster said it helped that they had experienced Warriors around them.

Steph Townsend (Nirranda goalie)

Dogs mentor Josie Bolden said she could pick any of the Nirranda players but playing coach Steph Townsend was the stand out.

"Her experience and ability as a netballer is second to none," she said.

Bolden said she was a great play-maker.

Lana Keane

Bombers coach Donna Chatfield believes Dogs goalie Lana Keane is the hardest to stop.

Chatfield played with Keane in Dennington's 2017 A reserve premiership.

"Once she's on, she's on," Chatfield said.

"She's tall and there's no one that can stop her."

The Bombers mentor said it was hard to match Keane's height.

Jess Rohan and Rhi Davis (South Rovers defender, goal shooter)

Power coach Kym Goonan believes some great recruits have entered the league this season.

Goonan said Davis, a goal shooter, had been a good addition to the Lions.

The Power mentor said it meant Lions playing coach and goal keeper Jess Rohan could focus on playing defence.

"In previous years, Jess has had to go from defence to attack," she said.

"It enables her to focus on her key role and to drive the defence."

Mellissa McKenzie (Timboon Demons centre)

Defender Cloe Pulling gave her verdict because Carly Peake was unavailable due to illness.

"She just goes and goes and goes," she said.

"She's a bit of an unpredictable player.

"You think she is laying back a bit and then all of a sudden she swoops in on one.

"I think she's just a really steady head in their midcourt as well."

Kristie Bolden (Dennington defender)

Nirranda coach and goalie Steph Townsend believes there are many top players in the league and found it difficult to pinpoint just one.

But she said Dogs defender Kristie Bolden was an opponent she had great respect for on and off the court.

The pair have had great duels overs the years.

"I rate her as one of the best defenders in the league," Townsend said.

"She's a huge driving force of her side's defensive end this year.

"When she's firing and using the ball well, you can't stop that."

Nirranda (the team)

Old Collegians co-coach Meagan Forth said Nirranda was the toughest opposition from a team perspective.

Forth said Blues playing coach and goalie Steph Townsend caused headaches when the sides met in round 13.

"Steph Townsend was the driving force for that win. I'd credit much of the challenge to her leadership," she said.

Forth said Blues defender Cloe Marr also gave her Warriors grief.

"She's in outstanding form and caused a lot of headaches," she said.

Maggie Kline (Old Collegians goalie)

Panmure coach Stacy Dunkley believes the Old Collegians' youngster can be a nightmare to stop.

"She has an obvious height advantage, but has strong hands," she said.

"When she is in on song, nobody can break her rhythm."

Kline, who has 456 conversions this season, has the most goals in the A grade competition.

Steph Townsend (Nirranda goalie)

South Rovers assistant coach Rhi Davis also believes Townsend can be a handful for her team.

"When you've got a goalie that is as strong and accurate as her, it's always a nightmare," Davis said.

The Lions mentor said Townsend was a great leader on and off the court.

"She can really lift a side," she said.

Jess Rohan (South Rovers defender)

Creek coach Thalia Robertson believes the Lions coach and defender is the trickiest opponent to deal with.

"Jess is quite tall, very agile and quick," Robertson said.

"She's very hard to stop when bringing the ball down the court."

Tall shooters

Timboon Demons coach Leah Sinnott said tall goalies are tricky for her team to deal with.

She said Dennington tall Lana Keane proved a challenge for her team which lacks height in its defence.

The Demons mentor said it was especially tough when an opposition had two tall shooters.

Keane shot 26 goals in the Dogs' win over the Dees in round five.

Sinnott also remembers one of East Warrnambool's tall shooters wreaking havoc when the teams drew in round 11.

Bomber Brooke Southwell slotted 32 goals that day while teammate Lena Wright netted 19.

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