Tara Murray
A fast start set the City West Falcons up for its first win of the Victorian Netball League championship season.
After a draw in round one, the Falcons put on a stronger performance in round two against Peninsula, winning 69-41.
Falcons coach Marg Lind was happy with the result.
“The team settled and started off like a house on fire,” she said. “We certainly didn’t start that way last week.
“We lost a bit of momentum towards the end of the first quarter but were able to play some good netball after that.
“Peninsula is a good young side with some strong bodies.
“It was a good night. We’re enjoying the rolling subs, which has been important to get some exposure for the younger players.”
Jane Cook was the star up front with 51 goals from 55 attempts. Lind said she was starting to find some more core strength, having done a fair bit of boxing and pilates.
Overall, Lind said it was a strong team performance. She said she was happy with team defence across the whole court, which they had worked on at training.
With two rounds under their belts, Lind said they were starting to get an idea of what the competition looks like.
“Looking at the scores, there will be four or five sides that will be really competitive and a couple of teams that will be developing,” she said.
“Every game will be close to a danger game, so you have to be on your toes every week.
“We have pretty high expectations.”
The Falcons division 1 side lost 60-42 and the under-19 team lost 45-37.
Lind said there were some really good signs in the under-19s, with many of the girls having only played two games at that level.
“The girls need to learn how to win,” she said. “It will come, they are getting there.”
It was a big week for a number of Falcons girls who were named in final state teams.
Championship players Melissa Oloamanu and Emma Walters have been named in the under-19 team, with Lily Davis named as a training partner.
Oloamanu and Walters have also been added to the Collingwood Super Netball squad as training partners.
Adut Manyiel and Charli Nicol have been named in the under-17 state team, while Mikaela Minns has been named as a training partner.
