By Tara Murray
Melton Centrals remain positive despite a loss to Wallan in the Riddell District Netball League.
While the Centrals lost by 16 goals, they won the second half by a goal in the 57-42 game.
Centrals coach Randy Pereira said the second half showed their potential.
“It is a bit tough having to play against teams that have a couple of VNL [Victorian Netball League] players,” he said.
“We don’t want to go down that path. We were down by 11 goals at quarter-time and then lost by 15 goals.
“That was a really good effort from the girls.”
Pereira said the difference in the second half was the side backing themselves in a bit more.
He said at half-time, he also made a focus for the players to try and enjoy themselves.
“I said to the girls at half-time, play on and enjoy yourself,” he said.
“Play with instinct and let the ball go. We had been a bit too hesitant.
“Errors playing on instinct netball, you don’t mind that.”
Rebecca Morabito shot 27 goals from 31 attempts and Pereira said she was clearly their best player on court.
He said Ashlea Hyatt and Abbey Grant have been their most consistent players this season.
Centrals sit 10th with one win so far. They are three games outside the top six.
Pereira knows it will be a tough ask for them to make finals, but he said they were focused on the future.
“I could go and get some VNL players, but that defeats the purpose,” he said.
“We may have some short-term pain, but hopefully we can keep some good ones together.”
Pereira highlighted 16-year-old Eden Mitchell as one young player to watch, while they have several 14 and 15 year olds in their under-19 team.
Pereira said he was hoping they could play how they did in the second half on Saturday for the rest of the season.
Melton Centrals this week face Riddell.
“If we can play instinctively and enjoy ourselves we’ll be happy,” he said.
“The second half needs to be repeated. It was a really good effort.”
Centrals’ other sides had mixed results. Their under-19s put in a brave performance, while their B-grade side had a big win.
The C-grade side had to settle for a draw.
In other A-grade matches, Rockbank slipped further away from the top six after losing to Riddell.
The Rams lead by one goal at the main break, however after half-time, the Bombers shot 33-19, to win 58-45.
Macedon, Woodend-Hesket and Rupertswood were the other winners.
In the football, Centrals fell just short against Wallan.
Melton Centrals were in the game for three quarters, before Wallan kicked away to win, 14.14 (98)-9.12 (66).
It was a tough day out for Rockbank which lost to Riddell, 57.24 (366)-3.1 (19).
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