Tara Murray
The City West Falcons were made to work hard to come away with the win against Melbourne University in the Victorian Netball League championship division on Wednesday night.
The Falcons were expecting a close match and that was exactly what they got with the Lightning pushing them all the way.
The Falcons managed to push out the margin late, to win, 59-49.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said they were happy to come away with the points.
“Melbourne University gave it a 110 per cent,” she said. “They really went hard to win.
“I think we settled and managed to work out their defence end. They were really physical and it took us a couple of quarters.
“The umpires let a lot go which was good ahead of finals.”
Lind said they were able to slowly build their lead out to 10 goals, which was more than what she expected it to be in the end.
She said some changes in their defensive end also worked really well and helped turn the game.
“We moved Zoe [Davies] into wing defence and Sophie [Hanrahan] into goal defence,” she said.
“It was a good match up and worked much better and it was good to see it under pressure.
“Zoe matched up really well against Kelsie Rainbow and Sophie on Ramayer [Gourley]. Sienna [Allen] and Sophie connected much better in the circle.”
The Falcons were without Uneeq Palavi and Lucia Fauonuku, who are in New Zealand team ahead of the World Cup.
The Falcons continued to change things around to help ensure they qualify Soli Ropati and Kim Borger.
“At times it upset momentum a bit,” admitted Lind.
The Falcons division 1 team had a draw with a shot on the siren after an up and down match, while the under-19s lost.
With two rounds remaining all three Falcons teams have secured their finals spots.
The championship side has already claimed the minor premiership, sitting three games clear of second and third.
The under-19 teams need one more win to secure a top two spot and double chance, while the division 1 team would need to win both their remaining matches and hope the Geelong Cougars lose both their games.
The Falcons this week face the Saints, who are in eighth spot.
Lind said they didn’t want to waste the opportunity they have with all three teams already locked into finals.
She said they would continue to try different things to ensure they have the best possible chance come finals.
“We have two hard games across the board, especially in championship with fifth, sixth and seventh all on 32 points.
“It’s not going to be easy with teams giving everything a go in the last few weeks.”
Meanwhile, two Falcons players have been named in Tonga’s final squad for the World Cup. Uneeq and Beyonce Palavi have been named in the 12, with Fauonuku named as a travelling reserve.
