Tara Murray
The Western Warriors produced their best performance of the Victorian Netball League championship season to secure their second win.
After a couple of up and down rounds where inconsistency and turnovers proved costly, the Warriors showed a much improved performance against the Casey Demons on Wednesday night.
The Warriors led throughout most of the night, winning 68-58.
Warriors coach Kim Bailey said it was a really pleasing win.
“We didn’t play our best netball last week, but we went back to training and pulled it back to basics and the intensity that the girls brought tonight was a real compliment to them,” she said.
“I’m really proud of their performance and it was all over the court. We had winners all over the court.
“We did our homework on this team and you know a couple of them we play for us and different teams so we had a bit of an idea of what we’re up against”
Bailey said they had to shut the ball down going into Emma Ryde, who provides a big target for the Demons under the ring.
She said the group was able to do a really good job of that.
“I thought Ellie Randall came on in that first quarter and did an outstanding job and then Jaz [ Fraser] just followed the game plan.
“We all needed to know what our roles were and we spoke about that before the game. I asked him on Monday night to go away, come back and tell me what your roles are and I did then and I stuck to it.”
Kim Borger shot 53 goals for the Warriors. Bailey said goal attack Julia Woolley and wing attack Simona Di Filippo both had their best games of the season.
She was also impressed with Vanessa Augustini.
“We’re starting to see the likes of Vanessa Augustini come to fruition because she’s, you know, six months out and having a baby hasn’t played netball for a long time and her work rate there tonight,” Bailey said.
“Just adding her in every quarter, every second quarter to bring that experience and that calmness back to the game really helped.”
Natalie Tommasini who made her debut for the club to give more depth in defence, had a good game according to Bailey.
Bailey said she thought it was their most consistent performance and while she hadn’t looked at the stats, said they would have reduced their turnovers.
The Warriors under-23 team fell short against the Demons, 50-44.
Bailey said it was a good performance for the side which is understrength due to injuries.
The Warriors next week face the City West Falcons.
“We’ve got Falcons next week and running premiers and we know they’re just such an awesome team and have been together for a long time,” she said.
“So that’s gonna be a test but I think what shone’ out tonight is that we can combine different combinations and they all still work and it’s just putting confidence in girls.”
