CITY West Falcons coach Marg Lind has a real juggling act on her hands in the next month in the Victorian Netball League championship division.
The Falcons sealed a top-two finish and a double chance with a solid 53-46 win over the improving Geelong Cougars at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.
But the biggest challenge for Lind will come in the management of the workload on her players in the finals run-in with an inconsistent draw and up to six of her stars in the training squad for Victorian Fury selection.
“It’s very tricky at the moment,” she said.
“We don’t like holding back. We always like to go out with all guns blazing.”
Lind has built up a level of trust with her players, telling them to be honest and upfront about how their minds and bodies are feeling.
Casey Price alerted her to a niggling injury and was the first Falcon to sit out as a precautionary measure in the latest game.
Danni Stewart copped a knock to the knee mid-game against the Cougars and no risks were taken with one of their most valuable assets.
It’s the luxury of being a game and percentage clear on top of the ladder.
The Falcons have a nightmare end to the season with two games in four days and both are against potential finalists.
They have a twilight showdown with Peninsula Waves at the Altona Sports Centre on Sunday.
The Falcons had to work a lot harder to mow over the Cougars and have a top-two finish under lock and key.
Demi Woodlock was the Falcons’ best on court.
The Falcons meet the Southern Saints in the penultimate rounds at SNHC tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, VU-Western Lightning has its destiny in its own hands.
The Lightning moved into the top four with a 54-36 crushing of Boroondara Genesis.
Goal shooter Megan Fitzpatrick starred for the Lightning, landing 41 of 48 attempts.
