By Lance Jenkinson
City West Falcons have left a trail of destruction across the Victorian Netball League championship division over the first 11 weeks.
The Falcons are a perfect 11-0 and their hot run of form is showing no signs of abating.
Falcons coach Marg Lind has been impressed with the team-first ethos among her players that started to build on their run to the premiership last season.
“This team gets along really well,” Lind said.
“They’re quite connected as a group and there’s a lot of trust there.
“They still have that connection we started to build last year and that’s strengthened a bit this season.”
City West has long been a powerhouse of Victorian netball.
The Falcons have built a reputation as a team that is meticulous in their planning and have the ability to execute to the nth degree on game day.
The current crop of players might not have got the memo handed down.
This exciting group is more than willing to push the boundaries with their bold attacking play and some interesting tactics issued on court.
In the latest win, a 66-31 drubbing of Casey Demons at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night, the players took it upon themselves to move mid-courter Molly Jovic into the attacking circle without notifying the coaches once the score blew out beyond 30.
Past Falcons squads probably would not have thought about making a move without running it by Lind or one of the assistant coaches, but this team lives a little on the edge.
“They enjoy a bit of fun, a bit of camaraderie and that’s what that was all about,” Lind said.
“They’re quite entertaining as a group actually. They have a few moments when they go a bit silly and take some massive risks, but that’s usually when they’re 20 goals up.”
You can bet the City West players will not be pulling any stunts like that next time they are on court.
The top-of-the-ladder City West Falcons will feature in a match of the round blockbuster against Geelong Cougars at Eagle Stadium in Werribee this Wednesday night. The Falcons will need to be switched on against a tough opponent in a game that will not start until 9.40pm.
“I think Geelong is a good outfit,” Lind said.
“A lot of their players have come through our club, so they know us really well and if anyone can put pressure on us, it’s them.
“A different venue, a late time slot, it will be quite challenging.
“I’m really interested to see where we’re at and how we handle that pressure.”
