City West Falcons goal keeper Peta Fay applies the pressure on Peninsula’s goal shooter Stacie Proctor on Sunday. 83552_03 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
CITY West Falcons will go into the Victorian Netball League series with a double chance and the psychological advantage of having defeated its main rival – Peninsula Waves – on Sunday.
But the Falcons and Waves will have to wait until 18 July to battle it out in the semi-final.
“It’s a matter of keeping everyone fresh and motivated and on track during that break. That’s going to be the test,” City West coach Marg Lind said.
Lind didn’t believe Sunday’s 60-37 victory would give her side a major psychological edge.
“We go into every game wanting to win, so I think it will be pretty irrelevant to us that we will have them again in a fortnight,” she said.
“I don’t believe that if you beat them this time it means you’ll do it again. but it may put a bit of trepidation in their mind.”
The Falcons secured top spot in their previous game against Southern Saints on Wednesday, winning 56-39
“We lost to them last time (Round 6) but our performance has improved since then. We seem to be gelling a bit more as a team,” Lind said.
“I think we’re probably in the best position we can be in leading into finals.”
Goal shooter Kathleen Knott starred with 41 goals from 44 attempts.
“The attack end was really good. We would expect Kath to be high in terms of shooting stats, because that’s the role she plays in the team, and she achieved that, which is just a very good indicator that our attack end is very functional.
“The championship side has been fairly settled side this year. We’ve been able to make changes without having negative impact, people are able to come on court and impact in a positive way. So we’ve definitely got a bit more versatility.”
Lind said there was more depth in this season’s top four, which will be finalised tomorrow when Victoria University Western Lightning aim to secure fourth spot with a victory against Yarra Valley.
“Perhaps in years gone by you might have only looked at the top two teams. Anyone could come from fourth, third second or first to take out the title. I think the double chance is actually going to be very important.”
I would like to see Vic Uni make fourth spot,” Lind said. “I think fantastic for the western suburbs. It’s a really good indicator that there’s a lot of talent out this side of the city and the talent’s performing. As a club being based in the west we’d be very happy to see Vic Uni there as well.”
