Hume City Broncos, for the first time in for many years, are losing more games than they are winning.
Defeats have been rare for the Broncos in Big V Championship division in the past few years, but this season they are on a four-game losing streak.
Broncos’ coach Glen Milner said that while this was new territory for the side, he is confident his players have the ability to turn it around.
The Broncos are sitting at 3-4.
“We’ve still got the core group together and we’re pretty confident we can bounce back,” he said. “We’ve had a few interruptions in the early rounds. I think we’ll get stronger and stronger.”
A significant part of the losing streak can be attributed to the departure of import Samantha Guastella.
But the Broncos’ cause will be boosted by the return of three-time reigning championship division MVP Colleen Planeta – a very pleasant surprise for the playing group.
Milner said getting back Planeta was a massive bonus for the side.
“I was in the States and I spent a week with her and her family,” he said.
“We got talking and it came up about Colleen playing for us again. The pieces fell into place.
“We were more than happy to have her back. She loves the club and the club loves her.”
Hopes of Planeta suiting up for the Broncos’ two matches at the weekend were stymied by visa issues.
It was a double blow for the Broncos, who were already without star guard Nicole Zammit for the weekend.
The Broncos suffered a big 90-51 loss to Eltham on Saturday night and went down 78-64 to ladder-leaders Sunbury Jets on Sunday.
Viv Saad top-scored in both games for the Broncos.
“We knew these two games were critical so it was disappointing not to have Colleen,” Milner said.
“We pushed the top team for four quarters. A lot of youth league players played valuable minutes. We got something out of the game.”
Milner said the Broncos had sufficient self-belief to conside themselves still among the top sides in the competition.
He said they were still looking to add an additional big.
Championship-winning player Yinka Olorunnife played on Sunday, but Milner said her availability would be limited due to work.
“We get Nicole back and hopefully we get Colleen back in next week,” he said.
“I don’t think our performances so far are a true indication of where we are at.”
The Broncos’ men had a mixed weekend with a 109-93 win against Casey Cavaliers on Saturday night followed by a 99-92 loss to Corio Bay Stingrays on Sunday.
Mike Rose scored 30 and 35 points in the two games for the Broncos.
