Amelia Hills delivers a pass in Lightning’s match against Genesis on Saturday night. 79944 Picture: EMILY LANE
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
A DEPLETED Victoria University Western Lightning overcame a spirited Boroondara Genesis to claim a 49-38 victory at Caroline Springs on Saturday night.
The Lightning was without experienced defensive lynchpins Brooke Thompson and Sarah Barnes, but still had enough firepower to keep Boroondara’s season winless and take its winning tally to five.
Seventeen-year-old Melissa Bragg made her Championship Division debut in goal defence. Bragg only just made the 19 and Under squad last year after two late withdrawals, but her persistence earned her selection in the Division One side at the start of the season, and on Saturday was promoted to the senior team.
Lightning coach Matthew Hills started several players in unfamiliar positions to cover for the side’s absentees, and his side was two goals down at half-time.
In the third quarter Hills put on Maddie Carter, who had just returned from representing Tasmania at the Under-19 National Championships, and set up its forward end similar to that which upset City West Falcons in Round Three.
The moves worked, and Lightning was three goals up at the final break. After making three goals and then conceding three, the Lightning took control of the game and outscored Genesis 12-4 in the final 10 minutes to secure a hard-fought win.
“We play a different type of wall and zone defence in our back end, and when you’re taking out two of the most experienced players in the team, and putting in kids in their place, I can liken it a bit to how Collingwood are going with their defence at the moment,” Hills said.
“For them to get that experience is a fantastic thing.”
Lightning will take on reigning premier Monash tomorrow night.
“We believe we match up well with them, and we certainly believe we’ve got a better team this year,” Hills said.
