Nirranda's Lisa Anders reflects after reaching 150th WDFNL game

After friends got her interested, Anders rocked up to Mortlake Cats' junior try-outs - a former Hampden league club.

"I remember the first year I wasn't actually selected in the side because I had no idea what I was doing," she said with a laugh.

"I had never heard of the sport and was uncoordinated."

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So she didn't play that season and it wasn't until the following year she got her chance.

It's pretty amazing as she just played her 150^th senior Warrnambool and District league game and is considered one of the best defenders in the competition.

But Anders explained she had great mentors during her teens and it wasn't long before she got the hang of netball.

"I was very lucky in that where I did play my juniors we had some wonderful senior netballers that I could watch and learn from," she said.

The trusty goal keeper was playing senior netball for Mortlake when she was still in 17 and under.

The Cats would merge with Derrinallum to form the Western Lions where Anders played for a year.

She then played with Caramut in the Mininera league for a decade.

Anders made the switch to the Warrnambool and District league and joined East Warrnambool in 2010.

She spent a couple of years there before two seasons at Deakin Sharks.

The defender has been at Nirranda ever since and the Blues love her.

They surprised her with flowers and a card last weekend for her milestone game.

"(Coach) Steph (Townsend) always likes to keep these thing from us," she said.

"It's always a bit of a shock when these things happen, I had absolutely no idea."

The top-placed Blues also scored a solid 45-38 win at home over second-ranked Timboon Demons.

But the sport has given Anders much beyond the wins and losses.

"The biggest thing would have been the friendships gained over all those years and some very special friendships I still have now," she said.

"One of my favourite things was the (2018) grand final win with Nirranda, the first grand final win in my whole netball career."

The mother-of-five praised the great family support she received to allow her to have a long career.

She has Olivia, 19, Teneale, 17, Liam, 15, Charli, 5, and Connor, 3.

Anders said 2021 had been her toughest season to date due to the coronavirus lockdown interruptions.

She said it had been hard to find the motivation to get back on court after the most recent lockdown.

But seeing her teammates in the flesh gave her a great boost.

The goal keeper highlighted the Blues had continued to do video sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and even Saturday during lockdowns to stay connected.

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