CATH Svarc plays her 100th game for Corowa- Rutherglen on Saturday — and wouldn’t be anywhere else.
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The mid-courter and her teammates are enjoying a stellar year, locked in the top five, eight points clear of their nearest rival and just a win away from ladder leaders Yarrawonga.
Svarc, 22, said even in the “dark days” the club believed in future success.
“There is a real buzz around Corowa-Rutherglen at the moment — the footy team is winning, we’re in the top-five,” she said.
“It has taken a while to get here but the signs were always there — each year we took another step forward, it might not have shown in results but we could feel it.
“But the club itself was always a great place to be around.
“Even in those years when we weren’t winning people were positive, motivated to get better.”
Svarc said the win against powerhouse Yarrawonga earlier in the year was a major turning point for the club.
The two-goal win over the Pigeons at John Foord Oval broke a losing streak dating back to mid-90s.
“We always knew we had the talent there, it was just a matter of hardwork and self-belief,” Svarc said.
“This weekend Yarra are going to come out firing.
“But we want it just as much as them and they have had their time in the finals and premierships — it’s our turn now.”
Svarc, who plays in the mid-court with sister Ruby and coach Beck O’Connell, said they now controlled their own destiny.
The Roos, in fact, are largely a family affair, with the Hanrahan sisters, Simone and Caitlin, joined by cousin and Hume League best and fairest Sophie this year.
“We have played a lot of netball together — we came through primary school with the Hanrahan sisters, joined Corowa at the same time about six years ago as a part of a development squad and have been here ever since,” Svarc said.
“Sophie came here this year and just slotted straight into the team — she’s a natural and can play as shooter or defence, whatever is needed.
“But the competition is so tight this year that you can’t afford to be off your game.
“We know we are in a good position, that it is in our hands.”
Svarc said O’Connell had been a key to the Roos development.
“I think she has been the coach here since we came to Corowa,” she said.
“She’s always thinking about netball, a great motivator and is a key to getting us to where we are today.”