Despite losing by one goal in a Victorian Netball League thriller, Western Warriors coach Kim Bailey said she was proud of her team’s performance against North East Blaze on Wednesday June 4.
The Warriors were five goals down at the last break, but hit the front in the last and led by two with three minutes remaining. However, Georgia Moody scored the matching-winning goal just before the buzzer.
“It’s disappointing that we lost but it was just a fantastic game of netball and they’re a quality side and to put a performance in like that, that’s the sort of netball I know we can play,” Bailey said.
“So I’m really proud of the girls and you don’t want to lose, but it’s not a bad loss.”
The Warriors sit 8th on the ladder with four wins and face 11th placed Melbourne University Lightning this Wednesday night.
Bailey said her side would draw confidence from the comeback against the Blaze.
“We just need to take a couple of those silly little errors out,” Bailey said.
“That happens (but) we’re good enough now (that) it’s a testament to where we’ve come from that (at the) start of the season we couldn’t have done that. We wouldn’t have come back from that.
“But now we sort of dig deep and we can maintain or put our foot down and get ahead. So yeah. So close, it’s a bit heartbreaking.”
Ruby Shannon had a terrific battle with Tara Watson in the midcourt.
“Ruby Shannon, she’s still on load management, but she played a full game tonight,” Bailey said.
“She’s amazing. Like her change of pace and just the energy she brings to the team.”
Kim Borger was outstanding around the goal ring for Western.
In the Under 23s, the Blaze won by 14 goals, but it was an improved performance by the Warriors from the previous meeting.
“I thought it was going to blow out,” Bailey said.
“I think they lost by 13 in the end against a quality team like that. That’s a pretty good performance because they got beaten comprehensively last time they played them.”
