Roos coaching hierarchy Daryn Cresswell and Ben Talarico before taking training last Thursday.
Corowa-Rutherglen Football Netball Club has bounced back strongly since being forced into recess in 2023 and rejoining the Ovens and Murray league last year.
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After round nine this season, the senior netball team is the only undefeated O and M side this year and the football team is far more competitive than last year.
There are promising signs for the Roos in football and if the coaching career of senior coach Daryn Cresswell is anything to go on – together with recruits for 2026 – there is plenty more upside.
Speaking with The Free Press last Thursday, the Sydney Hall of Fame member said: “We’re one and seven. We’ve lost four of those games under 20 points and pushed the top two teams – the ladder could easily have been tipped on its head.
Emily Laracy plays her 100th A Grade game for the Roos this Saturday at home against Wangaratta which will make an overall total of 200 O and M games with Corowa as a junior and senior and with Yarrawonga.
“We’re working hard on our process. We’re not too far away. We’ll win some games this last half.”
When Cresswell took over this season as coach, he said at the time there was no quick fix for the Roos – or any team – to quickly rise up the ladder regardless as to who is the coach.
But the club has recruited well towards getting back up the ladder and whilst the results don’t show it at this point in time, the club is always striving to get better.
“We have four or five already coming to the club, including some locals, for next season,” Cresswell, who has a two-year contract, said.
Lisa Tobin recently played her 50thgame with Corowa in an overall total of 200 O and M games with A and B Grades.
“I’m here to stay the course and my record shows my second year record is my best.”
He gets teams into the finals, for example when coaching Wang Rovers. Last year he coached South Cairns to the premiership.
Like any club, the Roos have lost three players with Darcy Hope aiming to join former teammate Connor Leslie at King Valley, Tyler Roos joining Josh Clayton at Kaniva-Leeor.
Tyler Roos played under Cresswell at Wang Rovers and South Cairns. His departure, whilst understood by the coach, is the one that hurts him the most.
“But it gives others the opportunity to play at the senior level,” Cresswell said. “We’ve just had a 16 and 17-year-old play in Tex Longmire and Jayden Forge. Both went well and we have other youngsters performing well.
Roo goalshooter Lou Madden switched ends of the court and is relishing the change to goalshooter.
“We’re working really hard to get the club back up the ladder – where we belong.”
With the Roos since its reset, highly regarded Development coach Ben Talarico backed his senior coach’s comments. “People forget how far back we’re coming from. We always knew it would take time but we’ve been in every game,” he said.
“We have depth and we have youngsters who are exciting and getting a good taste of senior football.”
One such youngster is Jayden Forge who, like his dad Brett and late grandfather Neville and great grandfather Cliff, wears number 3 on his back.
Work still to do for netball
Sitting on top of the league’s netball ladder and the only undefeated team, senior netball coach Sally Hunter is pleased at this stage.
“Obviously we’re going along well,” she said. “It’s great, exciting and to be part of it. But we’ve still got a lot to work on.”
As with any club, Sally said, one or two players miss a week or so but she is pleased with the temporary replacements from B Grade.
“We’ve got our set eight and it’s good to know we have depth for the team,” Sally said.
Leah Keating, Tamir Richardson, Sally Hunter, Gabe McCrae and Lou Madden were pictured before training last Thursday.
Star A Grade goalshooter Lou Madden missed last Saturday week’s game against North Albury as she watched her twin brother Nick Madden make his debut with AFL Giants.
“Watching Nick was nerve wracking but exciting and so was that game against North Albury!” the 21-year-old said of the one goal victory. “I’m so glad we won.”
Lou has averaged 40 goals a game this season and has been so effective at the other end of the court from where she played at Osborne.
“I was GK until Sally made the switch for me to play goalshooter here at Corowa.”
Milestone games have been achieved by several netballers indicating the experience at Corowa. In addition to those photographed, Lisa French recently notched up her 200th league game covering A and B Grades.
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