THE Collingwood Magpies were unable to steal a win in both practice matches against the Sunshine Coast Lightning, in Tasmania. Both sides had very different line-ups to their 2018 team, with a whopping eight new players taking the court for their respective teams making for an interesting contest.

Collingwood head coach Rob Wright was not afraid to test out the waters toying with different positions and combinations on the court.

“[It was a] good opportunity for us to try different combinations out, just working on structures that we’ve just started building, so really pleased that we could tick both those boxes, a really positive result from both games,” he said.

The first practice match went down to the wire with the Magpies falling short by one goal in what was an impressive performance by both sides. The attacking end had a new look to it with the likes of Caitlin Thwaites and Erin Bell gone. In their place was veteran goal attack Natalie Medurst who slotted in seamlessly to the black and white, while Jamaican shooter Shimona Nelson also stood tall in the goal circle. Given the new combinations Collingwood seemed to have a good understanding and flow down the court, making for a tight and enthralling contest. Defensively, Wright made a few changes with youngster Matilda Garrett starting in at goal defence, pushing Diamonds player, April Brandley out to wing defence proving the teams’ versatility and depth. Meanwhile, England Roses star and former Lightning bookend, Geva Mentor got acquainted with her new club in at goal keeper.

Wright seemed pleased with the result given it was the first time the new look side had taken the court.

“[It was] really good to be able to get out on court for the first time as a group. Had three weeks of training but first time to play in a competitive match against a quality side in Lightning,” he said.

While in the second match, the Lightning seemed to have a better connection down the court to run away eight-goal winners 65 to 57. While key members of their team left over the off-season, the Lightning were unfazed bringing in the likes of Phumza Maweni who had an impressive Northern Quad Series and star Ugandan shooter, Peace Proscovia. Coach, Noeline Taurua played around with the defensive combinations pushing star goal defence, Karla Pretorius out to wing defence, allowing young gun Annika Lee-Jones to take centre stage in at goal keeper.

Both sides were subjected to plenty of changes with Collingwood moving the likes of Kelsey Browne in to centre, captain Madi Robinson donned the wing attack bib, while Kim Ravaillion found herself at wing defence in the absence of Ash Brazill making for an interesting contest.

The practice matches proved to be a great opportunity for both teams and coaches to test out one another, fine tune strategies and player positions ahead of the upcoming #TeamGirls pre-season competition and Suncorp Super Netball league season.