Tara Murray
The Western Warriors were thinking what might have been after a close loss to the North East Blaze in the Victorian Netball League championship division on Wednesday night.
Going for their fourth win in five matches, the Warriors had their chances to come away with the points.
Two poor periods proved costly for the Warriors, with the Blaze winning 60-58.
Warriors coach Kim Bailey said there were positives, but their inability to play four quarters hurt them.
“We did have a lot of chances,” she said. “There were just too many unforced errors to be honest, some really uncharacteristic errors.
“We made three breaks. I think we never have a break, little things that are coach killers.
“We were 11 goals down and to lose by two, but we can’t get ourselves in the position.
“When we get a run on, we need to continue on with it.”
The Warriors trailed early in the first quarter. They had runs in both the second and third quarter to bring the margin back to one.
The Blaze finished the third quarter really strongly to lead by 11 goals at three quarter time.
“When we did recover we let them get away a couple of times again,” Bailey said. “You take some good stuff out of it though.
“You look at the last quarter and last quarter was amazing. We won that quite convincingly.
“We just can’t get ourselves into that chase position. But you think how we went compared to the same game 20 goals last time it was much better.
“A couple little turnovers at critical times might have been a difference. A pretty good performance against a quality team.”
Bailey said midcourter Vanessa Augustini played her best game. Olivia Ellis against her old side also had a good game, while the shooting combination of Kim Borger and Julia Woolley played well.
Abbey Ellis made her debut for the Warriors.
“Just sort of bring her in and she’ll hopefully stay with us around next season,” Bailey said.
“She’s really dynamic. She hasn’t played netball for a little while as well, but awesome footwork and a really great netball brain.
“Add her in with her creativity. There’s so much creativity with Kim and Julia and that’s another person you can bring in to be a different voice.”
The Warriors sit in ninth spot, not three games outside the top four.
The Warriors under-23s had moments in their match against the Blaze, but ended up with a 69-45 loss.
Bailey said it was the same story as it’s been for much of the season, a lack of consistency across all four quarters.
The Warriors this week face Boroondara Express. In championship, the Warriors led all match last time before falling short.
