By Justin Flynn
St Joseph’s coach Riley Richardson has praised his team for getting on top of a tenacious Geelong West.
Joeys were jumped by Geelong West early before pulling away to a 46 to 37 win at Herne Hill Reserve.
Three round 15 matches were played on Saturday August 3 with the other two games to be played this Saturday.
“Credit to Geelong West for taking the game on,” Richardson said.
“We got up by 20 goals the first time we played them and we knew they’d be really hungry. They got the jump on us at the start. They were just a little bit more ready. They got a few turnovers and converted them and they deserved to lead in that quarter.
“I think the mindset on getting the lead back was really cool, calm and collected from the girls. We won the last three quarters by about five goals each and that is a credit to great focus and just making sure that we get our turnovers, convert them and then we convert the next centre pass and we build our lead gradually but consistently.”
St Joseph’s sit on top of the ladder and although the minor premiership would be a feather in the cap for his side, Richardson said it wasn’t at the forefront of his mind.
“I guess it’s quite arbitrary – it will or it won’t (happen),” he said.
“We don’t have a vested interest in finishing first per se, but it’s a nice recognition that we’re playing good netball and that we’re on top for that point in the season.”
Defender turned goalshooter Georgette Paatsch continues to thrive in her new role.
“Credit to Georgette, she’s has been a defender her whole life, her whole netball career and this year, just with the timing and some late changes in availability we have had our hands being forced and we put her into the goal ring,” Richardson said.
“She’s really taking it in her stride and she’s become quite a force in A Grade. It’s a massive credit to her and the work she’s done to adapt to a new position. She’s a formidable target. She puts herself in great position and she’s super accurate as well. We’re really pleased with how she’s going.”
Joeys have a week off before taking on Grovedale and then Lara in games they should win and then finish the home and away season with a blockbuster clash against Colac.
“We’re looking to continue to test everyone in our team,” Richardson said.
“We want to be trying different rotations, we want to be trying different strategies so we’re going to take every game seriously.
“We’re particularly looking forward to Colac. We had a really close game against them last time. We only won by a goal and they played a really phenomenal game. We both had key players out, so really looking forward to seeing how that matchup goes with all those players returning from both teams.”
COLAC is still a chance for third spot after an 80 to 38 win against St Albans. A lot would need to go right for the Tigers to earn the double chance, but with midcourter Chloe Hay and skipper Emily Murfitt in good form, anything could happen.
NEWTOWN & CHILWELL took another step towards finishing in the top three with an 84 to 51 win against Grovedale. Midcourters Vanessa Augustini and Danielle Mather were best for the Eagles while Mikaela Vaughan scored 44 goals from 46 attempts.
THIS week the split round continues with Lara hosting Bell Park and South Barwon travelling to Leopold.
