Tara Murray
The City West Falcons threw the magnets around as they continued on their winning ways in the Victorian Netball League championship division.
The Falcons had 12 players take to the court against the Ariels on Wednesday night, while missing one of their key defenders, but it made little difference with the Falcons winning, 82-47.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said they had been keen to get a few different players on the court this season, but hadn’t had the opportunity until Wednesday night.
“We carried 12 players last night [Wednesday] and did a lot of rotations,” she said.
“We had Soli [Ropati] back on board and she played four quarters and had Kim Borger and she was able to play four quarters.
“Charli Nicol came in and was able to play a half and it was a good experience for her. It’s been hard to give her an opportunity and we made the call with Sienna [Allen] sick and she was grateful for the experience.”
The Falcons mix was thrown around even more with Maggie Lind playing only a minute before coming off with a tight calf.
Lind said it was good to use Ropati, Montana Holmes and Maddy Gray in wing attack to change it up and give them a look at other options.
As for the game itself, Lind said they were happy with how it played out.
“All the teams sit with you for a while,” she said. “We got a bit of a gap at the end of the first quarter and we were able to build on that.
“We were unsettled at times with all the changes, but we were still able to score 82 goals which was good.”
Lind said it was hard to pick a best player with players coming on and off the court.
She said Jane Cook, who shot 54 goals, continued her solid form, while Uneeq Palavi played some smooth netball coming off the Tongan netball team camp.
Lind said it was also good to have Ropati back for the first time this season.
Lind said having had the opportunity to have that bit more depth, she said they would look to continue that as the season progresses.
“We knew that we had a plan to cover players, but we hadn’t been able to execute,” she said.
“We’ll take the opportunity to do it going into finals to make sure we have the cover.
“Olivia Cameron played in division 1 and we’re hoping to have her qualify in finals as cover for Tharjini Sivalingam.
“She’s a former championship player with Geelong and she fits in perfectly.”
It was a good night all round for the Falcons with their division 1 and under-19 teams both getting wins.
Lind said they both had good wins and they were able to rotate players through despite missing players with illness.
The division 1 team sits in third spot, a game off top, while the under-19s are also in third, equal on points with the two teams above them.
The Falcons this week face the Hawks.
“It will be tough,” Lind said. “It’s a big game for all three teams.
“They are very competitive and in the top four in division 1 and on the cusp of the others.
“We have to continue to roll the dice with players, we’ll make sure we do it more deliberately.
“In championship we have a bit more breathing space with Geelong losing, but it’s not much.”
