By Tara Murray
City West Falcons’ remarkable late season run has continued, with the side through to the Victorian Netball League championship grand final.
Having virtually played elimination finals for more than two months, the Falcons continued their good form in the finals.
On Wednesday night, they defeated the Hawks 61-48 in a semi-final.
It set up a preliminary final with Melbourne University Lightning just four days later.
Lightning had been one side the Falcons hadn’t been able to match this year.
But that didn’t worry the Falcons, as they took out the preliminary final on Sunday, 63-58.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said they had been able to execute their game plan.
She said they had focused on bringing in different plans late in the game, to counteract the Lightning’s game plan.
“They threw everything at us,” she said.
“We got off to an amazing start and it gave them the confidence in the game plan.
“They got back to within two, three and four at times, but the girls were able to hold their heads up.”
Lind said the self confidence is growing in the group, which was shown in the dying minutes of the game.
Lind said like they had the last few weeks, they had a real even contribution across the board with everyone playing their role.
The shooters shot 63 goals from 66 attempts.
Having not expected to make finals, let alone a grand final, Lind said they have nothing to lose. “We’ve been playing finals for the last eight weeks and we knew that we had to keep winning.
“Even five weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed that we would be in this spot.
“It’s about us now rewarding ourselves and hopefully reward the people who have worked hard.”
The Falcons face Geelong Falcons in the grand final. The Falcons finished on top of the ladder. The grand final is at the State Netball Hockey Centre at 4pm on Sunday.
Tara Murray
