Kate Moloney was part of the victorious City West Falcons side that will now play in the Victorian Netball League grand final. 83552_06 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By LIAM TWOMEY
CITY West Falcons rocketed into the Victorian Netball League grand final after an 11-goal win over Monash University Central last week.
The Falcons shot away to a 14-8 advantage in the first quarter and were able to hold on to the lead in a battle between the competition’s two best teams from the home and away season.
Coach Marg Lind was happy to progress to the final with her side earning a week off.
“I thought they started really well,” she said. “We probably didn’t have a great second half but we had four kids coming back from 21 and Under Nationals and they were a bit flat, so setting it up early really helped.
“You rely on a bit of luck in situations like that and we are really happy they all came back uninjured,” she said.
“They have probably got nearly two weeks off now in terms of heavy load. Obviously they are still training but we get four or five days recovery now before they get back into it.”
Following the 44-33 win, the Falcons will play an Australian National League side on Thursday, as well as going through their normal training to ensure they don’t lose momentum.
“We certainly didn’t show our full hand last night in terms of strategy,” Lind said.
“I thought it was good that we didn’t have to and that means hopefully we have got some tricks up our sleeves. I don’t think we played particularly well. It wasn’t our best game and I’m hoping that we have got a really good game ready to go.
“I wouldn’t say we are confident. We just need to find that gear and that is going to be the key.”
City West will play the winner of Monash University Central and VU Western Lightning who will play in the preliminary final on Thursday night.
Western Lighting is coming off a fantastic, overtime win against Peninsula Waves in the minor semi-final.
“I think VU are playing really well and I think it will be a good game between Monash and VU. It could be either/or and we need to do our homework on them next week as well,” Lind said.
