VU Western Lightning is making a last-gasp sprint to the finals in the Victorian Netball League.
After being hurt by injuries during the season’s first half, VU has hit back hard in the past three rounds.
Under the guidance of caretaker coaches Robyne Dawson and Pam Strong, the Lightning drew with DC North Blaze before beating Geelong Cougars and Fed Uni Ballarat Pride.
Dawson says it’s been a frantic start in her new role.
“When we took over, we met the girls on Monday at training and then 48 hours later we coached them in the first game,” she said.
“They came from behind to draw that one, which was a fantastic effort.”
After losing several key players to injury, including club captain Brooke Thompson, VU also had to replace two members who are representing their home countries.
Fiona Themann will be competing for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, while Sanonu Robertson is trying to help Samoa qualify for the world championships.
The Lightning crew is not expecting any injured members of its squad to return before the end of the season.
“Brooke [Thompson] is such a warrior, she wants to get back,” Dawson said. “But she has a serious finger fracture so we aren’t too hopeful with her.
“We have a few young ones in the division 1 team who are going to be given the opportunity to play.”
Despite being second-last on the ladder a few weeks ago, VU is now one of the competition’s form teams – and just two points outside the top four.
With four weeks until finals, the Lightning has the bonus of not having to play the undefeated City West Falcons again in the home and away season.
Impressed by what she has seen so far, Dawson hopes the winning form continues.
“I want to make finals,” she said. “We [Dawson and Strong] have both said that. We’re both super-competitive and like to win.
“You coach to win games and I want to make finals with them.
“Even with the injuries, we’ve still got enough quality players to do that.
“We have some very impressive talent at this club.”
