Lightning’s Amelia Hills receives a pass. 79944_02 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
ONE season has ended, and another one is about to start.
That’s how Victoria University Western Lightning coach Matthew Hills is looking at the Victorian Netball League finals series, which begins on 18 July.
Lightning will take on Peninsula Waves in a knock-out semi-final, after claiming fourth spot with a seven-goal win against Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels on Wednesday.
Hills said the overwhelming feeling among players after the game was relief rather than excitement, because of the team’s shaky performance.
“We were off the mark,” Hills said.
“I think what we did, maybe subconsciously, we forgot about the process and were thinking about the result. We went away from some of the things we do well.”
Lightning, without Wing Defence Sarah Barnes who was sidelined with illness, was down by eight goals at the six-minute mark of the third quarter, but dug deep to take the lead by one goal at the final break and then dominated the last quarter to win 44-37.
“A lot of girls disappointed with how they played individually but I think we’ll learn from it.
“We’ll be better prepared for our first final now after playing a game like that.
The side lifted a gear after an injury time-out in the third quarter and shot 12 goals to three to go into the last quarter with all the momentum.
“We got back to what we’re good at which is looking after the ball in attack and putting the opposition under concentrated and consistent pressure in defence when they’ve got the ball,” Hills said.
Despite the less than convincing performance, the fact remains that Lightning is one of four teams in the VNL finals (City West Falcons and Monash University will clash in the major semi-final), and it’s a remarkable achievement considering the team won just three games last year.
“It’s a massive result for the club, great fillip for the club two years into a new structure, new coaches, new administration. Two years into what I call the five-year plan, and we’ve made finals.”
Lightning lost to Peninsula both times the sides have met this season, but in both games Lightning has held a five-goal lead.
Hills identified athletic goalie Mwai Kumwenda as Peninsula’s most dangerous player.
“Each of the other three teams in finals have a dominant shooter, so we’ll need to just work around that, but we then have to get our game right when we’ve got the ball in attack, which is still a work in progress.”
