Tara Murray
The City West Falcons were a little less erratic and it paid off with a first win of the Victorian Netball League championship season.
The Falcons started the season with a one goal loss in round one, so were keen to get on the winners list on Wednesday night against the Hawks.
The Falcons started the better of the two teams and were able to set the momentum from there on the way to a 72-66 win.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said they were much happier with that performance.
“It was nice,” she said. “We were a little less erratic and it was a good score line so that helps.
“Jane [Cook] had a really solid game in shooter and Uneeq [Palavi] was full of energy at goal attack.
“She’s not used to playing goal attack for the whole game. Maggie was solid at wing attack which helped.
Lind said they were able to build some more consistency in the line up. After admitting last week that they did too many rotations, she said they winded it back against the Hawks.
Cook finished with 57 goals for the Falcons.
The Falcons were without Shimona Jok as she was part of the Mavericks squad preparing to play in a pre-season match.
Defender Lucia Fauonuku missed a second straight week. Lind said she would be back in round three.
Lind said they were looking forward to seeing what their whole defence could do together.
“Lucia had a really good pre-season so it’s disappointing that she hasn’t played round one and two,” she said.
“It gives a bit more depth. Her and Mel [Oloamanu] grew up together as a really good defensive combo and we haven’t had that for a long time, we’re looking forward to it.
“There’s still a way to go.
The Falcons under-23 side suffered their first loss of the season, losing to the Hawks, 52-44. Holly Adams-Alcock shot 24 goals for the Falcons.
Lind said they were really wasteful with the ball.
“We’re a work in progress,” she said. “I think the Hawks and Blaze [North East Blaze] are strong in under-23s and we’ll be there abouts.
“They’re a good hard working team, it’ll just take a bit of time.
The Falcons this Wednesday face the Bendigo Strikers.
The Strikers, who are in their inaugural season, had a bye in round two.
“I had a bit of a look at them last week and they’re not bad,” she said.
“They have a lot of our former players. Milly Brock at goal shooter it a big target and Teal Hocking, who was our goal attack in under-19s, is out front.
“They have both Sexton girls, who have both played for us as well.
It was a big week for the Falcons with their under-19 teams starting their super series season.
Lind said it was a full house to watch them in action.
