Tara Murray
The City West Falcons overcame being short on numbers to come away with another win in the Victorian Netball League championship division.
With two players on national duty and Soli Ropati still recovering from injury, the Falcons had just seven of their regular squad to choose from.
With that the Falcons gave a couple of players their championship debuts and they both played their roles.
The Falcons took some time to get going but eventually beat the Boroondara Express, 76-56.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said it was a good result considering. As well as missing three players in the program with national duties, a number of players had just returned for the under-17 and under-19 national championships.
“We had the starting line up, but that was it,” she said.
“Molly Kennedy, who is a scholarship player, came into the side as cover, while Lani Fauonuku came up from the under-19s as cover if we needed a goaler.
“Everyone played their part.”
Lind said Jane Cook had a good solid game in goals, providing them with a good target in the goals.
She said the combination of Maggie Lind, Maddy Gray and Montana Holmes in the attacking end was really steady.
Lind said their defensive line up was starting to find their feet.
“We’ve got a real good team bond this season,” she said. “While the side isn’t too different to last year, there has been a shift.
“Sienna [Allen] has brought in her determination and commitment and is giving the defensive end more inspiration.
“Sophie [Hanrahan] has settled into the group. She played well in wing defence on Friday, we need her to be able to play all three defensive positions.”
With the result blowing out and a short term around with the next match on Wednesday,
Lind then gave the others she had brought up some court time.
“Molly took an intercept in the first 30 seconds when she came on both times to give the others a break,” she said.
“We wanted to see what she could do. She’s a talented footballer too, she has a dip.
“Lani was better in the championship than she was in the 19s.”
Both are set for another opportunity on Wednesday night. The Falcons sit on top of the ladder after five rounds, one of three teams with a 4-1 record.
It was a good night for the Falcons with both the under-19s and division 1 sides also getting good wins.
Lind said the younger age group were really adapting to a lot of rotations with the side averaging 27 rolling subs per game.
The Falcons will be at home at Altona on Wednesday night for the first time this season against the Ariels.
Lind said they were hopeful that a big crowd would be there to watch all three teams in action.
Meanwhile, Charlie Nicol and Charlotte Sexton have been named in the Australian under-19 team following the national championships.’
