Melton Centrals are hoping a more settled second half to the Riddell District Netball League season will set them up for another finals campaign.
With players in and out of the side and unable to get a consistent run on the court, Centrals coach Randy Pereira said the side had been nowhere near its best.
Despite this, Centrals have suffered only two losses, against the sides above them on the ladder Riddell and Macedon.
On Saturday, Centrals easily accounted for Broadford, winning 54-24.
Goaler Rebecca Morabito was best on court as she starts to find form after returning from having her second child.
Pereira said he was reasonably happy with how his team had started the season.
“We’ve had a lot of unavailability,” he said. “Bec has come back from having a baby and Aimee Deacon had her first game in the lower grades last week, also after having a baby.
“Mel Laird has been in and out of the side because of Victorian Netball League commitments.”
Pereira said he expected his side to be up there with Riddell, Macedon and Rupertswood.
“Riddell aren’t unbeatable but are a very good team,” he said.
“When we played them they shot 58 goals and should have had more.”
Reigning Ryan medallist Tran Truong has returned to the court after a short- lived retirement.
“She retired and we had some injuries and I asked if she could fill in,” Pereira said. “I think she knew that filling in would lead to playing the rest of the year.”
Pereira said he hoped Truong’s return and Morabito’s move to the goal attack position would lead to a more settled attacking end.
“Bec was still getting fitness so we had to play her in shooter,” he said. “Vanessa is more a holding shooter and has been struggling playing goal attack.
“We moved Bec out to goal attack last week and it worked better.
“Tran and Bec have played so much together, they have a good connection.”
Centrals’ other three sides are also sitting in the top six in their divisions. Most pleasing for Pereira is seeing the under-19s playing well, after looking like they wouldn’t have a team in the off-season.
Winners in other weekend matches were Riddell, Macedon, Rupertswood and Romsey.
