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Star on the road

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Justin FrisSouth Western Times
Vanessa Michael completed her first session as a Slammer last week.
Camera IconVanessa Michael completed her first session as a Slammer last week. Credit: Sports Imagery Australia

SBL stalwart Vanessa Michael completed her first pre-season session with the South West Slammers women’s team on Thursday night, after an operation put her briefly on the sidelines.

Michael moved well and relished her time out on the floor — which is not surprising, considering her incredible commute to training from Kwinana.

“A couple of the girls and I will be carpooling to every session with coach Nathan Grover,” she said. “Because it is such a drive from Kwinana and then you train between 7-9pm. And just being tired during the long drive back, it is not an easy one for anyone.

“So knowing we can go as a group and keep each other company and awake on the long journey home is very important.

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“I drive to Nath’s house, which is 20-30 minutes from me — so I am happy to go there and back in order to not do the drive on my own.”

But although she may get home when her partner and kids are asleep, Michael is glad she has picked the Slammers, with Grover providing excellent guidance for her.

“He definitely has the respect from all of the girls which is good to see,” she said. “When he pulled us in the other night, all eyes and ears were on him.

“There was no side chatter or anything. It is good to be part of something like that. Even when you have a one-on-one with him, he is not watching other things — he gives you his full attention.”

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