Winchelsea coach Casey Carroll hopes that by the time finals roll around, her side will be well equipped to be a major player again this Geelong & District Netball League season.
The Blues have been hit by injuries this season, with Carroll herself out with a fracture in her tibia, but emerged from a mammoth clash against reigning premier East Geelong on Saturday with a seven-goal win to be within striking distance in fourth place on the ladder.
Winch made the grand final last season, but lost to the Eagles by six in the decider.
Carroll said a good start on Saturday was the focus leading into the game. The Blues led by five at the first break, by 10 at half-time, by nine at the last change before grinding out a seven-goal win.
“I feel like the girls came out really strong and I think historically throughout the season we’ve had some really slow starts so the girls were intent on coming out really relentless and backing each other,” she said.
“So it was intentional and they were able to just come out really firing and then they were able to sustain it obviously for the full four quarters. It just goes to show when we have a really good strong solid start, we are a team that can sustain it and don’t drop off.”
Key defender Gemma Stavenuiter has had her injury concerns this season with a broken wrist, but was instrumental in Winch’s win.
“Ask anyone on the side how important she is,” Carroll said.
“She’s the real backbone of that team and it’s been really nice to have her back.”
Midcourters Hannah Garner and Meg Royal also played important games.
“They combined really well,” Carroll said.
“It was nice to see that partnership forming and playing some really good netball with each other.”
Carroll said while Winchelsea’s season had so far been “disjointed from a consistency and stability perspective” with the injuries, things were starting to turn around. Carroll hopes to be back playing before the end of the season.
“It sounds a bit dramatic, but it’s one of those ones that has made me rest a little bit more,” she said.
“I’ve got time up my sleeve so there is every possibility that I will be back playing netball and playing finals.”
The Blues have another challenge this week against fifth-placed Inverleigh.
“I think going into Inverleigh after we’ve knocked off East Geelong is a really good confidence boost for the team,” Carroll said.
“But we’re under no illusion that Inverleigh are a really strong side through all aspects of the court and we know it is going to be a tough contest with them.”
THOMSON stayed undefeated, but had to work hard to defeat Werribee Centrals 36 to 27 with Emma Witham (23 goals) superb at goal attack.
CORIO chalked up win number two with a 43 to 20 victory against Geelong West with defender Erin Dillon best while Bree Jones played in multiple positions and did well for the Giants.
BELMONT goal shooter Angelique Ross was unstoppable with 70 goals in a 93 to 21 win against North Geelong.
INVERLEIGH defeated Anakie 71 to 41 with Adelaide Annand excelling at goal defence.
BELL Post Hill had a terrific 55 to 44 win against Bannockburn. Goal keeper Aimee Hooper and midcourter Adasha Boxer were best for the Panthers.
