By Justin Flynn
Even with a three-game break on fourth placed Bannockburn, Winchelsea coach Casey Carroll is not looking further ahead than her side’s next game against North Geelong.
The Blues withstood a final-term fightback from Bannockburn on Saturday July 6 to win 43 to 41 and sits securely in third spot on the Geelong & District Netball League ladder.
“Bannockburn are a team that never really give up – you can’t discount them until the final siren goes,” Carroll said.
“They’re a strong outfit and they just capitalised on some of our turnovers. I think that ladder is pretty pretty tight. And if you look at the next however many rounds, you’ve got pretty much all that top five playing each other, so it’s going to be really tight.
“We’re sitting in a good spot with a few games clear but we don’t want to become complacent with that. I just want to focus on one week at a time.”
Winchelsea led by eight at the final change but the Tigers rallied, albeit too late.
Goalkeeper Gemma Stavenuiter, goalshooer Katrina Biscan and midcourter Meg Royal were best for the Blues.
“All across the court that defensive end is just a solid unit,” Carroll said.
“You’ve got Gemma, Rhiannon Williams and Zoe Tennant and their level of composure and defensive efforts, I think, sets us up for those really tough games.”
Winch has a week off before playing North Geelong on July 13. All four of Winchelsea’s senior sides are in the top three.
But Carroll said finishing top three in A Grade was not that important.
“For us it would be finishing in the top five,” she said.
“We’ve finished top three and bombed out two games in a row and the likes of Werribee (Centrals), I think they finished fifth one season and took out the premiership. So for us, I think it’s just getting a spot in finals and going from there. I don’t necessarily think a week off or having a second chance necessarily works in your favour. The second chance is always nice, but I’d hate to just be relying on that.”
EAST GEELONG was made to work hard by Thomson before winning 50 to 34. Defender Stephanie Boyce was her usual superb self while Claudia Cook rotated through centre and wing defence with aplomb. For Thomson, Cheyenne Philpott was best with 17 goals while Alex Drake was good at the other end of the court.
WERRIBEE CENTRALS stayed in touch with the top five with a 79 to 24 win against Geelong West.
THIS Saturday the remainder of round 13 takes place with Corio hosting Belmont, North Geelong travelling to Anakie and Inverleigh entertaining Bell Post Hill.
