Melton Centrals haven’t given up hope of a finals berth in the Riddell District Netball League despite sitting second bottom halfway through the season.
Centrals have just a win and a draw from their first eight matches and sit only ahead of a win-less Broadford, but at the same time sit just a game and a half outside the top six.
Centrals’ coach Randy Pereira said he had not given up hope of playing a part in finals.
Centrals have been a mainstay in the top six in recent years.
“We play Broadford this week so hopefully we can get the four points and close the gap,” he said. “A lot of the teams are fighting for finals spots and play each other and the top teams.
“I’m the supreme optimist and I’m hoping we can hang in there.
“I think once we get all our girls back and get the shooters going we can still make finals.
“And once it gets to finals you never know what can happen.”
On Saturday, Centrals were easily beaten by ladder leaders Macedon. The Cats won every quarter for a 49-25 win.
Looking at the teams on paper, Pereira said he thought the margin could have been a lot bigger.
“They should have beaten us by 40 goals,” he said. “We turned the ball over heaps.
“It was a disappointing day for the club.”
Caitlin Duncan was named Centrals’ best, along with Emmalea D’Antonio and Abbey Grant.
Rebecca Morabito was the pick of the shooters, shooting 13 from 20 attempts.
Macedon’s two defenders Janelle Birch and Katie Clarke double-teamed Morabito for much of the game making life hard for one of the competition’s best players.
Pereira said the attacking end continued to be where the side let itself down and it had cost them a couple of games.
“We can get turnovers, but then we are either turning the ball over or missing shots.
“We are averaging 29 misses per game. It’s disappointing for the midcourters and defence who are working so hard to get the ball.”
Centrals used four different shooters on Saturday looking for the right combination, with Katie Hepburn missing the game.
In other results, Romsey had to come from behind against Rockbank.
The Redbacks had a slow start and trailed by three goals at half-time
The inclusion of Hope Evans at half-time helped the Redbacks and they outscored the Rams 30-11 in the second half to win, 49-33.
Rebecca Hicks shot 25 goals for the Rams.
Wallan proved too strong for Diggers Rest. The Magpies opened the game up in the second quarter, leading by seven goals at half-time.
The Burras were unable to close the gap and lost 40-32.
Kathie Dicker shot 27 goals for the Burras, with Stephanie Barnes named their best.
Rupertswood tried different combinations on the way to a 64-24 win against Broadford, while Riddell proved too strong for Woodend-Hesket, winning 55-40.
