In what is an all-too-familiar sight for their rivals, reigning champions City West Falcons have assumed sole ownership of top spot on the Victorian Netball League championship division ladder after notching a sixth straight win to start the season.
Judging by their 54-37 mauling of Boroondara Genesis in the much-anticipated top-two clash at the State Netball Hockey Centre on Wednesday night, the Falcons’ supremacy shows no signs of weakening.
They have opened up a handy game break over the Genesis, a two-game lead over third-placed Peninsula Waves and a massive three games over the rest of the competition. But, ever the professional, coach Marg Lind is not getting carried away.
“It’s a good start but there’s still a long way to go,” she told the
Weekly. “We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.”
Lind stressed the importance of a fast start to the season for her side in what can be a compromised VNL competition. She is mindful of the impact of state, national and trans-Tasman duties on her team.
Even on Wednesday night, the Falcons had three players – Chloe Watson, Emily Mannix and Maggie Lind – returning from the national titles.
“All three were pretty good, which is a bit of a first because normally they get back from nationals pretty exhausted and find it hard to get into the game mentally,” Lind said.
“We thought that if we didn’t make a good start we probably wouldn’t run it out, so we put all our eggs in one basket and went for it.”
The Falcons ran riot in the first quarter to take a 13-goal lead into quarter time and did not relent.
Kath Knott showed her class to land 32 from 40, an 80 per cent return.
Higher honours could be on the horizon for the star goaler, who is making a successful return from a long-term knee injury.
“She’s a quality player and we’re lucky to have her,” Lind said.
“She’s certainly close [to full fitness], but we’re still cautious with her knee, making sure we don’t overdo it with her.
“I think she can still make the step up to the next level.”
Clare Moylan was a standout in the centre when the game was on the line early. She and Maggie Lind formed a strong mid-court combination that has potential for growth.
“They’re not going backwards, put it that way,” Lind said.
The Falcons will meet Southern Saints in the seventh round at the SNHC on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, VU-Western Lightning tumbled to sixth place following a 52-40 loss to Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels.
With a 3-3 record, the Lightning have come to a crossroads but can get on the winning side of the equation against winless Ballarat Pride at SNHC on Wednesday.
