Tara Murray
Romsey’s finals hopes are in its own hands in the Riddell District Netball League.
A win against Lancefield in the final round, will be enough for the Redbacks to return to finals for the first time since 2019.
Redbacks coach Lena Way returned to the club this season to help the club be competitive again.
She’s thrilled that she’s been able to do that.
“We have some pretty strong juniors coming up from the junior club into the senior club next year,” she said.
“We want to have a strong A-grade side as it sets the standard and the expectation and that is what we are aiming for.
“We want the younger girls to aspire to play for a competitive A-grade team. I’m very happy to have a competitive team again.”
The Redbacks started slowly in what Way has considered a rebuilding year, but have been one of the stronger teams in the back part of the season.
Way said being able to secure a few key players to strengthen the squad had been vital to helping provide some much needed experience for the group.
On Saturday, the Redbacks were able to get over the line against Diggers Rest, winning 58-44.
The Redbacks led by four goals at quarter time before extending the margin out to 13 goals at half time.
The margin remained steady through the second half.
Way said it was one of those matches they were just happy to come away with the points from.
“It was up and down,” she said. “We didn’t have our normal combos and we played a few players out of position.
“I brought Hope Evans up from B-grade for three quarters and it made a difference.
“We had a few girls who weren’t 100 per cent fitness wise. Lucia Fauonuku just got back from the world cup and we had to take her off for the last quarter.”
Evans shot 27 goals for the Redbacks, with Emma Grech having 24 goals.
The Redbacks now sit in fifth spot, two points clear of the Western Rams. The Rams have a bye in the final round, so will automatically get four points.
The Redbacks face bottom side Lancefield, with a win and Wallan loss opening up the door for the Redbacks to finish fourth.
Way said they were just focused on coming away with the win.
“We will focus on our game, it doesn’t matter if we finish top or bottom,” she said. “We need to do the basic things well and stick to structures and hopefully get another win.”
In other results, Riddell beat Lancefield, Macedon was too good for the Western Rams and Woodend-Hesket snuck home against Wallan.
