Newcastle representative coach Traci Baber has praised the performances of young trio Zoe Peden, Mackenzie Stuart and Janas Burgess following the team's State Cup title defence in Sydney on the weekend.
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All three under-17 players were called into the senior squad with several regulars either unavailable or ineligible for the tournament and Baber said they didn't miss a beat throughout Newcastle's unbeaten run.
"The three young girls that came in were outstanding," Baber said.
Stuart and Burgess helped fill the vacancy at the shooting end during State Cup, featuring NSW Regional League winners and runner's up, while Peden plied her trade in the midcourt.
Katelyn Stansfield and Sabina Gomboso were ruled out for Newcastle having lined up in the NSW Premier League earlier this year.
Narelle Eather, Tiffany Lincoln and Karlie Robards were also missing.
Ellie McVey (ankle) and Keeley Mullins (tooth) were unable to complete all 11 matches at Olympic Park across Saturday and Sunday.
Newcastle, also the 2019 NSW open champions, beat Orange 26-16 in the final.
