Koroit to give teenagers a chance on court in 2020

This year Gretta Gleeson and Millie Jennings loom as Koroit's exciting teenage prospects.

The three-time Hampden league reigning premier hopes Gleeson and Jennings will make their open grade debuts in 2020.

Gleeson is the reigning league 15 and under best and fairest runner-up and Jennings, who has crossed from Portland, the daughter of Tigers great Kerri.

Second-year coach Stacey O'Sullivan said the pair had different strengths they could add to the Saints' line-up.

"Gretta was in under 15s but also played A1 last season and she is going to play goals and defence," she said.

"She'll play A1 and A grade throughout the year and it is going to help if we get injuries to Emily (Batt) or Nell (Mitchell).

"Milly is a midcourter and will play some A1 (to start). She's talented and a lot taller than her mum and can play goals as well."

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O'Sullivan said the Saints, who will start pre-season next week after an extensive break, were thrilled to bolster their depth.

"It's great. If an injured had have occurred (last season) we would not have been in a great position," she said.

"We were lucky we didn't suffer any injuries towards the finals because if we did it could've been a different story. We're lucky now we have young girls who can step out onto the court if injury occurs."

Koroit has maintained its list as it strives to win four consecutive netball premiership but O'Sullivan is cautious and determined to stay a step ahead.

"Last year was the first year all the girls played together and it wasn't until the end where we smoothed out all the wrinkles," she said.

"You want to change things up every year. Netball evolves every couple of years and changes all the time.

"You have to keep adapting you team but still keep the basic system and philosophies."

O'Sullivan said tweaks would not become evident until the season, which starts on April 4, got under way.

She will maintain a focus on Koroit and how it wants to play but knows "you must be aware of the opposition".

The non-playing mentor said recruits could often dictate how a side played.

Koroit is preparing to again be the hunted. It's a tag which sits uncomfortably.

"No one likes being in that position but success breeds success," O'Sullivan said.

"(People) want to see the underdog win so it's actually a hard position to be in."

Koroit starts its season against Portland at Hanlon Park on April 4.

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