IT was the big question lurking over the City West Falcons’ title defence in the Victorian Netball League.
How would they fare without experienced premiership-winning bookends, goal-shooter Kath Knott and goalkeeper Peta Fay?
Maybe the answer’s in the Falcons’ 54-25 drubbing of Geelong Cougars at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.
New bookends, Julia Knott in the attacking circle and Emily Mannix in defence, had a major impact.
Front to back, the Falcons looked as settled as they have been since the new-look team took shape.
“We’re kind of getting the team on track,” Falcons coach Marg Lind said.
“We’re starting to establish some good combinations and we’ve got a little bit of camaraderie going in that group now.”
The Falcons’ defence was at its miserly best, conceding just 25 goals, even with the Cougars having access to top goaler Erin Hoare from the Melbourne Vixens.
The Cougars were shut down by a water-tight Falcons’ defensive strategy and Hoare was limited to 17 shots (8-of-17) by a dogged Mannix.
At the other end, Knott replaced her sister in the goal-shooter’s bib at the start of the season.
The Falcons tried to make it a like-for-like swap in the opening month, but it didn’t work because they’re two unique individuals.
Kath is your physical stay-at-home target, while Julia has the athleticism to work further up the court.
The problem is that Julia’s playing style is similar to goal attack Maggie Lind’s.
Coach Lind abandoned the plan to pigeonhole Knott in the circle, giving her the freedom to roam and share the shooting load.
Knott shot the lights out, landing 28 of 31 shots for a 91 per cent accuracy.
The fans will be asking for more of the same when the Falcons (4-1) face Ballarat Pride at the SNHC tonight at 7pm.
Meanwhile, VU-Western Lightning remain in top form after two wins in a week.
They triumphed in a defence-dominated bout, 39-32, over the Boroondara Genesis on Wednesday, before backing up to edge the Southern Saints 49-45 at Sunbury on Saturday.
