Tara Murray
The Western Warriors produced one of its strongest performances of the Victorian Netball League championship season to knock off the Geelong Cougars.
Playing at home at Cobblebank Stadium in Melton for the second time on Friday night, it was a performance the Warriors had been working towards.
After starting off well, the Warriors were able to hold a lead throughout, winning 66-57.
Warriors coach Kim Bailey was thrilled with the performance.
“It was really pleasing for the girls to come out and play really well,” she said. “They played four quarters of consistent netball.
“There was a lull of about five minutes… But they stuck to the game plan which was good.”
Bailey said despite it being a Friday night there was a really good crowd at Cobblebank and a really good atmosphere.
She said the group really enjoys playing at the court and bringing this quality netball to the local area.
The Warriors goalers continued to show they were finding form in a partnership.
Kim Borger shot 46 goals with just one miss, while Julia Woolley shot 20 at 100 per cent.
“To miss one goal for the game, that wins you the game,” Bailey said. “Juls missed last Sunday and had she played we might have got a win. They are two of the best goalers in the competition.”
“We had some awesome turnovers in the mid court which was really pleasing.”
Having lost to the Cougars back in round two by 23 goals, the Warriors created a 32 goal turnaround.
With the Cougars sitting around the top four, the performance was one of their best for the season and keeps them in touch with the top four
“If you compare the two games, it was completely different,” Bailey said. “The structures are different and we didn’t know each other.
“We are finally knowing what we are doing, I can’t be prouder. Geelong have set the benchmark along with the [City West] Falcons for so many years.
“There’s an aurora around them. A lot of girls have played for them and I’ve coached there, it was a great win.”
The win moves the Warriors to four wins of the season. They are one of three teams with that record.
The Warriors under-23s had a 55-34 loss to the Cougars.
Bailey said they still need to do some work on making sure they put out a four quarter performance.
“The first three quarters they played well,” she said. “We capitulated in the last quarter.
“We need to work out why this is happening. We’re a little perplexed why we can’t play 60 minutes of netball.”
Bailey said one pleasing aspect was getting Eliza Gollant back from a knee injury.
The Warriors play the Peninsula Waves on Wednesday night. In the championship division, the Waves sit bottom.
