By Tara Murray
The Western Warriors showed plenty of resolve on Wednesday night to come away with their fourth win of the Victorian Netball League season.
The Warriors, who were disappointing the week before against the Wilson Storage Southern Saints, bounced back with a hard fought win against the Geelong Cougars.
The Warriors led throughout the clash, but the Cougars stuck close all night and made them fight for the 60-57.
Warriors coach Kim Bailey said the group had to show a lot of fighting spirit to get the job done.
“It was a tough game and we were without Poppy [Douglass] who is away for a wedding,” she said.
“We had to change the attack line up and have the two shooters with Kim playing goal attack the whole game.
“We were a few more goals up but credit to Geelong who kept coming back.”
Bailey said the last few weeks when a side had got a run on, they hadn’t been able to halt it, but this week they were.
She said Eliza Gollant, who was playing her first game back from injury, played a big role in that.
“It’s credit to Eliza,” she said. “Having her in goal defence changed our structure and defensive line up
“We were hoping to have her a little bit earlier but had a minor setback. It’s her first year in champ and she’s getting used to the pace.”
Bailey said Tayla Honey was the other standout for them, playing her best game for the club.
Amanda Umanski stepped into the side for the first time in the absence of Douglass.
Bailey said she’s a training partner that had previously played for the North East Blaze and it was nice to have her there as back up.
The Warriors sit eighth on the ladder after 11 rounds, six points outside the top six.
The Warriors 23 and under side’s winning streak ended up two as it lost to the Cougars.
There wasn’t much in the game at half time before the Cougars shot away on the way to a 63-49 win.
Ella Closter shot 23 goals for the Warriors.
Bailey said it was a disappointing performance.
“There is some work to be done there,” she said. “They had some good passages of play but weren’t able to sustain it.
“We tried to stick with them but were blown out a little bit. We have to make sure we’re playing for 60 minutes.”
The Warriors face the North East Blaze this week.
Bailey said last time in championship they had a really good game after a side that is in the top six.
Tara Murray
