CITY West Falcons sealed the early berth in the Victorian Netball League championship grand final with a 44-33 triumph over Monash University Central in the major semi-final at the State Netball and Hockey Centre last Wednesday night.
The Falcons, who finished the season on top of the ladder, took an early lead on the strength of physical defence from Peta Fay and Casey Price, and astute shooting from Kathleen Knott (30-38) and Maggie Lind (12-20).
After heading into quarter-time with a 14-8 lead, the Falcons pushed out to a 10-goal lead at half-time. Despite a patchy second half, they never let their lead slip below five goals on the way to a convincing win.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said her side had made the most of its start.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the big game.
“I think the start was the difference in the game,” she said. “We took our chances early in the game and while we didn’t build on our lead in the second half they could never get back with us.”
Lind praised the resolve of her players after four Falcons spent the previous week representing Victoria in the under-21 national titles then backed up on Wednesday night.
“That’s also why having a good start was so crucial because I knew the girls would tire towards the end after playing a full week of netball,” she said.
While the Falcons took a few days rest late last week, Lind said her side would face a full build-up heading towards the grand final on August 1 at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
“We will play the Victoria Fury, who play in the Australian Netball League, in a practice match on Thursday then train pretty hard leading into the grand final.
“We have a few girls in the Fury side, but they will play with us and it will give us a tough hit-out during our week off.”
Meanwhile, the VU-Western Lightning is one step away from an all-western suburbs grand final after beating Peninsula Waves 56-53 in a heart-stopping sudden death semi-final.
A stunning 39-goals performance from goal shooter Melissa Macauley was important in a game that was decided in double extra time.
The Lightning will play Monash University Central in tomorrow night’s preliminary final with the winner to advance to the big one.
SCORES
Major semi-final: City West Falcons 44 d Monash University Central 33
Minor semi-final: VU-Western Lightning 56 d Peninsula Waves 53
