Tara Murray
The City West Falcons put out one of their best performances of the Victorian Netball League season to beat Melbourne University on Wednesday night.
Looking for a third win in a row, the Falcons knew they would be in for a test against an experienced Melbourne University side.
A period late in the third quarter would be the difference with the Falcons winning, 56-52.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said it was a pretty good win.
“They have a pretty physical outfit,” she said.
“It was good to see our girls settle and we had some really good combinations. I’m happy with the progress and the players are slowly gelling.
“To starve off the physicality and the experience was the most important thing for us.”
Lind said it was a pretty even match throughout, with the two teams trading the lead throughout.
She said they were able to get in front late in the third quarter and stay there. She said it was only the last five minutes when she thought they had done enough to get the win.
The key for the Falcons was everyone stepping up when they needed to.
“Jane [Cook], Uneeq [Palavi] and Maddy [Gray] all had moments, there was a lot of physicality in the circle.
“Maddy had a five minute patch that settled the side and then Uneeq had a five minute period. They were able to keep their heads and minimise the errors which was good.
“Soli [Ropati] and Montana [Holmes] had intercepts at the right time.”
Lind was impressed with Mel Oloamanu when she came on after half time.
In a big bonus for the side, they had Suncorp Super Netball player and former Falcons captain Maggie Lind back for the match.
“That was a massive bonus,” Lind said of her daughter playing. “In terms of leadership and keeping the team calm.
“She adds to the vibe and it would have been hard to win without her.”
The Falcons division 1 side also had a good win with Lind saying the team was starting to gel together.
The under-19s had a disappointing game, losing by four goals.
Lind said some of the players who were returning from nationals were taking time to fit back into the side.
In good news. Charli Nicol and Mikaela Minns were named as part of the under-19 and under-17 Australian squads respectively.
Lind said they were happy with where things were sitting at this part of the season, as they near having played every team once.
“It’s the first time I’ve looked at the ladder and all three teams are in the top four,” she said.
“There is still work to be done though. It’s a pretty even competition.”
