Altona recruit Brigitte Ardossi was a standout performer for the Gators this season. 84402_05 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
OUTGOING Altona Gators women’s coach Sharon Grieve says she is disappointed with the way her team ended its Big V division one season after going down to Latrobe City in an elimination final last weekend.
However Grieve, who won’t be returning to coach the Gators in 2013 so she can focus on her family commitments, said plenty of positives can still be taken out of the year.
“Overall I was happy with the girls,” Grieve said.
“We did do well and we had a tough season, and with eight players I think we did a good job to get to where we were and make finals.”
The Gators got there on the back of a 14-5 regular season that placed them fourth overall, however losing their last three games before the finals denied them a chance to finish any higher.
Altona was beaten by Latrobe City, Warrnambool and Warrandyte in the lead up to the finals after sitting on top of the overall table with just two rounds remaining.
“I think we had a really good start to the year,” Grieve said.
“We probably had a pretty tough run home with the teams we were playing but that gives you a way to prepare for the finals.
“Unfortunately we had a few tough ones and we couldn’t get a few wins at the end of the year.”
Despite losing to Latrobe City a month earlier, Grieve said she was confident her team could get back onto the winners list against the Energy.
“I thought we had a lot of confidence going into it with the experienced players we have on our team,” she said.
“We played a lot of finals before so we were hoping to take that experience into the game and come away with the win but unfortunately it didn’t happen that way.”
Grieve noted the appearance of WNBA draftee Brigitte Ardossi, who played in 20 games for the Gators and was the league’s leading average points scorer, as the biggest positive for her team this season.
“I learned a lot from her and the different level and style of basketball that she has played at,” Grieve said.
“She brought a lot to the team.”
Grieve said she was also impressed with what point guard Sarah Liebelt and forward Louise Johnstone produced for the Gators throughout the year, but then added she will stick around the club in coming years despite stepping down from her coaching role.
“They’re a good club and they have supported me 100 per cent.”
