Three successfully down, one to go for Melton Centrals in four weeks of netball that could set up their Riddell District Netball League title hopes.
Facing top-six contenders Rupertswood, Lancefield, Diggers Rest and Macedon in consecutive weeks, Centrals coach Randy Pereira always knew this period could decide if his team was a top-four side.
So far, the Centrals have passed with flying colours, with three wins from the first of those four matches, and now have designs on finishing third on the ladder.
On Saturday, the Centrals made hard work out of what should have been an easy win against Diggers Rest.
With Centrals 10 goals up with eight minutes remaining, a win looked assured, but the Burras didn’t give up and pushed Centrals all the way.
The Centrals held on to win 51-50.
Pereira said his side went to sleep in the final quarter.
“When you play in A-grade and play sides like Diggers Rest you can’t switch off and not pay for it,” he said.
He said Amy Carroll and Meredith Ball switched on in the last quarter for Diggers Rest and his side was lucky to win after dominating for more than three quarters.
Goal attack Rebecca Morabito was the stand-out for the Centrals, named best on court for a fourth straight match.
“Since she has gone to goal attack she has been massive,” Pereira said.
“The dynamic has changed. Vanessa [Seddon] is a tall shooter and while she has one of the ugliest shots for goal, she gets them in and is awkward to match up on.
“Having Tran [Truong] back also adds some extra speed.”
Centrals are sitting at third spot on the ladder, a game clear of their next opponent, Macedon.
A win this week will almost seal that third position for them.
Pereira said he believed that Riddell and Rupertswood would claim the top two positions.
“If you finish third and beat the side which finishes sixth, you get a second chance,” he said.
“Saying that, if Diggers Rest finishes sixth we know they could beat us. Besides the bottom few sides, it’s an even competition.”
Pereira said he expected defender Mel Laird to return to the side for the round 16 game against Rockbank. Laird has only played three games due to Victorian Netball League commitments and injury.
“The defence has been working well,” he said. “It will give me a headache who to leave out of the starting line-up once she returns.”
In other results, Riddell moved ahead of Rupertswood at the top of the ladder after beating Lancefield, Macedon came from behind to beat Romsey and Broadford was too good for Wallan.
