After making her Suncorp Super Netball debut in the season opener, the learnings from Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Reilley Batcheldor heading into Round 2 are simple.
“Go a bit harder each and every time and turn and shoot,” Batcheldor said.
With a tough test against a determined Queensland Firebirds ahead on Saturday, the 19-year-old said there was a clear focus for the group at training.
“As a team it’s working on our defensive efforts down the court and maintaining possession throughout the whole game,” she said.
“It’s been good to see how we come together in those tough situations and regroup, working on things at training after a tough game like last week and moving on to a new opponent.”
Batcheldor is bracing for another scrimmage, this time against her former team, who are known to lean into the physicality and body on body game-style.
“It’ll be great, it’s always a good derby – they will always bring a good fight and we will return the favour,” she said.
“We’ve focused on lots of rest and recovery and then hitting the court again.
“Also preparing each other by giving each other those hits at training will help.”
The shooter is also excited to experience her first Lightning match in front of a home crowd.
While the atmosphere spurred her on in Perth, she knows having the backing of the vocal Lightning Members and fans will be incredible.
“The fans here at Lightning are amazing, they bring the atmosphere and we will definitely need that this weekend,” she said.
