By ADEM SARICAOGLU
WERRIBEE women’s coach Lloyd Klaman is happy with what his Devils achieved in 2013, despite the heartbreaking ending they had to endure in the Big V Division Two finals series.
The Devils were clearly the best team of the regular season and went into the semi-final series as favourites against the Keilor Thunder.
But it was the underdog Thunder, led brilliantly by Jodi Impey, who swept Werribee in two games to advance to the grand final series.
“You have to be happy with the season,” Klaman said.
“You’re disappointed with the way it ended but all credit to Keilor, they beat us fair and square.
“Jodi Impey was just fantastic. You could see why everybody’s been raving over her for the last 10 years, and I think she was the difference.
“Some of our young girls probably didn’t play at their best but that happens with kids.
“They’re a lot more up and down than the more experienced girls and they’ll have good games and then have bad games, but you’ve got to take the ride with them.”
Klaman has been re-appointed to lead the Devils in Division One next season and is expecting to do so with a bit more experience at his disposal, as Werribee has also entered a new youth team for 2014.
“We’re moving up so it’s going to get harder, but I’d imagine we’re probably going to add a couple of older people to the squad,” Klaman said.
“Some of the girls who were playing seniors will probably go down and play in the youth because we’ve still got some 15 and 16-year-olds and some will stay up, but we definitely need to top up if we’re going to go into Division One.”
Lisa Troyahn, Emma Coyne and Elisha Burnette, labelled as the ‘big three’ by Klaman, have all signed on for next season, while the Devils will also welcome back Georgia Perry, who missed much of 2013 through injury.
On Monday the club revealed Mark Hughes as Werribee’s State Championship men’s coach for 2014.
