Western Warriors have levelled their efforts of last season but again showed inconsistency in the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night.
Facing the Gippsland Stars, the Warriors were keen to bounce back after one of their worst performances of the season.
They looked like a team that was hungry in the first half and it showed on the scoreboard as they led, 36-21 at the break.
After half time some complacency settled in and the Stars took it up to them.
The Stars got the margin back to six in the final quarter, but the Warriors had done enough to win, 58-52.
Warriors coach Kim Bailey said the first half was good and could have been pushing a much bigger win.
“We were pushing a 30 goal win at half time, but then we just relaxed, which we have a habit of doing,” she said.
“I think what was good is that we worked through it, we didn’t panic. We’ve come out with a win, we’re happy.”
The first half was some of the best netball that the Warriors had played for the season, creating a lot of turnover and getting the ball into their shooters.
Bailey said they spoke about what their roles were for the night and they stuck to them particularly in the first half.
“Eliza Gollant was perfect,” Bailey said “She stuck to the game plan.
“I gave her instructions and she stuck to them to a tee. Taylor Honey was asked to get loose ball and she did and it was a bit of a glimpse of the Taylor of old.
“Kim [Borger] was great and the feeds into her especially from Simona Di Filippo and her work was great in the first half.
“When a bit off the boil in the second half.”
Kim Borger shot a season high 42 goals, with Rebecca Hicks used sparingly due to an ankle injury.
Bailey said they speak about playing consistent netball across not only games and week to week, but it’s yet to click.
“They have to play 60 minutes, you can’t play 58 or 59, you have to play the lot,” she said.
“It’s constant, that consistency. I think we dropped the ball and got a bit lax.
“We have to be switched on, nice way to coming into towards the end of the season with a nice win like that.”
Bailey said they would like to finish the season with at least one more win to beat their tally of last year.
She said if they play their best netball they can match it with anyone and they can influence how the top six finishes.
The Warriors sit in seventh spot, six points out of the top six, but North East Blaze had a game to play on the weekend.
The Warriors 23 and under side had their best performance of the season, winning 63-38.
After a strong start the Warriors were able to hold off any Stars challenge to build the margin back out.
The Warriors face the Strikers next.
