Netball
15 May, 2026
Lakers eye Cougars matchup
Taylors Lake’s A grade netball side will aim to build off their first win of the season as they face off against Kaniva Leeor United in round six of the Horsham District Football Netball League this Saturday, May 16.
The Lakers defeated Rupanyup in a 41-40 thriller in round five, and while coach Sharon Fedke was encouraged by the progression, she said the side still has plenty to improve on.
“It’s not how I would have liked us to finish the game, so we’ve got a lot of things to work on,” she said.
“In saying that, we've been building; I feel like our first couple of weeks were really tough.
“We played against some really good teams and suffered big blowouts, so we've had to do a lot of work, and then we've had a couple of close games the last two weeks.
“I do feel like we've improved, but we still have got a long way to go.”
This Saturday, they meet a Cougars side who lifted themselves into the top five after registering their third win of the season against Kalkee.
Taylors Lake themselves were convincingly defeated by Kalkee (62-22) in round two, but after pushing Pimpinio all the way in round four.
The Lakers coach believed that her team could challenge an improved Cougars outfit.
“They've got some experienced players back that they didn't have last year, and it's really strengthened their team,” Fedke said,
“You can see that by the fact that they beat Kalkee by two goals on the weekend.
“Given the fact that we played Kalkee and how much they beat us by, you may go into that game with trepidation that we will really be up against it this week.
“I could have said the same thing about Pimpinio, but we still took it to Pimp and had a chance to win that game.”
Asked where the team’s improvement can come from, Fedke emphasised the importance of keeping things simple, particularly with ball control.
“We've started to try to get back to the game plan that I've tried to instil in them last year, just looking after our centre pass, taking care of the ball a bit better,” she said.
“In saying that, we have been doing that at times, but then there's times when the game’s on the line or there's pressure, and then we don't.
“Netball really is a game of whether you can keep the ball away from the opposition the best, get it down the court and get a goal.
“When you start overcomplicating things, that’s when things go awry.”
The Lakers coach said there is still plenty of positives to take away, including the form of Tayla Eltze and Kayla Kelm.
“Tayla in goals is getting her confidence back and is doing very well,” Fedke said.
“You can’t go past Kayla Kelm in the midcourt; the turnover ball she gets for us, and her aerial ability is second to none.
“With a couple of new players in the team, we’re starting to find that connection again.
“It’s just about putting it together like a jigsaw puzzle and finding where all the pieces and getting them to work well together.”
In the other round six games, Edenhope Apsley will look to continue their undefeated season as they host Harrow Balmoral.
At Cameron Oval, ladder leaders Laharum will be favoured against a Swifts side that is yet to record a win in 2026.
Kalkee will look to bounce back from their two-goal loss to the Cougars, but face a Noradjuha Quantong team who will also aim to make amends after going down to the Demons in round five.
Pimpinio return from the bye with an opportunity to record their third consecutive win as they host Rupanyup.