Tara Murray
Woodend-Hesket is seeking consistency in the final rounds of the Riddell District Netball League.
The Hawks are on track for their first A-grade finals series, but have dropped their last two matches to sides within the top five.
The Hawks had a bye on the weekend, with playing coach Meg Grbac saying it had happened at the perfect time.
“It’s a nice opportunity to take a bit of a break and recharge,” he said.
“I think we’ve struggled a bit with consistency in the last few weeks with sickness and ins and outs with availability.
“It’s time to recharge and then get back into it post bye and hopefully go into finals in form.”
Grbac said the two losses against Macedon and Diggers Rest had been disappointing. She said while they had shown they could match it with them, they haven’t done it for four quarters in the last couple of matches.
“It’s been a couple of disappointing weeks,” she said. “We have to put four quarters on the court, as lapses in quarters are letting us down a little bit.
“I definitely think experienced players play a part. We have respect for both Macedon and Diggers Rest and both those sides have brought their a-game into matches but we haven’t.”
Grbac said one of the keys to finding that consistency was working out the right combinations across the court and when to make changes.
She said they were still working out what their best combinations were, saying they have a strong squad, with everyone able to play a role.
She said the development of Charlee Duff-Tytler in goals had been massive after losing Abby Gilmore to injury early in the season.
“She’s just 15,” she said. “She’s come on leaps and bounds since the start of the season.
“She has really stepped up and not just against the bottom teams. Against Macedon and Diggers Rest she was awesome.”
It’s not just the Hawks A-grade side eyeing finals.
The under-19s sit second while the B-grade and C-grade sit just outside the top five.
Grbac said the sides were developing as the season progressed.
The Hawks face Melton Centrals, Wallan and Romsey in the run home. The first two of those are on the road.
Grbac said they were hoping to show some good form, with the match against Wallan set to be a good test.
