Rutherglen's Emily Browne caught up this week with Beck O'Connell ahead of Saturday's inter-league clash.
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BO'C: Firstly, congratulations on being selected for inter-league.
EB: Thanks, it's a nice honour to play alongside the best in the league.
BO'C: There's some pretty big names in the Tallangatta league team that you'll be playing with, any thoughts on some of your teammates?
EB: I'm really happy with the team. Kylie Murphy has pulled together a good side and we'll be able to take it to the Ovens and King league I think. We've got Haylee Penny up one end and another tall player up the other end in Ellen Cook. These two from Kiewa already play really well together. We've got another great player in Jo Withers in the middle, so it will be interesting to see how we go.
BO'C: How has training been in the lead up?
EB: Yeah good. I was only able to make one of them but the team has had two. The one I went to was high intensity and everyone bought their A-game. The girls had a run around on Wednesday night and the vibe coming out of that seems to be good, so we're excited to get out on the court.
BO'C: Sometimes with inter-league players nominate not to play. Do you think there's benefits to playing?
EB: Yeah of course. It allows you to mix with other players and it develops your ability to get along with players on the court. You get to play alongside players that you normally play against. You get to have that game with Haylee Penny and have a run around with Jo Withers. You get a taste of the best netball without having to leave your club. It's also really good coming through at a young age. The under-15's and under-17's get some of that exposure to these types of events.
BO'C: As for Rutherglen, you're travelling really well this year. How are things down at the cattery?
EB: Mum and I are teaming up and everyone's always eager to learn and always have questions to ask. It's really great in that aspect. Everything we put into play last year is coming into fruition. We're slowly getting the results that we're after.
BO'C: How has taking on a coaching role with your mum been so far?
EB: Last year I took a bit of a back seat. I haven't really coached before and I was happy to just have a low key year, coming from the O and M to Rutherglen. This year, it was a bit hard coaching B-grade and playing A-grade, so mum and I switched. She coaches mostly the B and sits on the bench for me and helps out at training and on game day. It's quite different being a playing coach. You're not just worried about how your game's going. It's nice to come off the court and have mum sitting there. Just having an on court and off court coach is really good because we get two different perspectives.
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