Monash University Central v DC North East Blaze
Wednesday, June 19; State Netball & Hockey Centre, Court
1
Under 19s (7pm); Championship (8.20pm); Division 1 (9.40pm)
We’re into the final four games of the season and with two
Monash sides clinging to finals positions, games like these couldn’t come at a
more crucial time.
Only the Division 1 side were capable of upsetting the
previously undefeated Genesis, while the Under 19s fought bravely for three
quarters and the Championship side couldn’t challenge their opponents when they
fell behind.
Ladder positions count for nothing, wins count for
everything.
UNDER 19s
LADDER: Central 8th
(3-11, 85.3%); Blaze 9th (1-1-11, 61.2%)
FORM (LAST
5): Central WLLLL; Blaze WLLLL
LAST TIME
THEY MET: Round 2 (February 27, 2013), State Netball & Hockey
Centre; Central 64 def. Blaze 37
For a depleted side, Monash is showing in the latter stages
of this season that there’s still plenty of fight.
In the past three weeks, Central have taken the challenge
right up to three finals contenders, two of them being the top two in the
Falcons and against the Genesis last week.
Whilst it was their second half that displayed vast
improvement against the Falcons, it’s been finishing that has been Monash’s
Achilles heel, with two final quarter fadeouts arguably costing the young side
wins.
They face DC North East Blaze who have had an identical last
month to Monash, with their only win and a draw giving them consolation in what
has been an inconsistent season.
Coach Robynn Pym said these types of games were ones that
had to be won.
“We’ve generally held the wood over the Blaze and
particularly when realistic chances to win are presented to us, we have to take
them,” Pym said.
“The girls are really confident and it’s showing in our
netball. We didn’t deserve to fade out like we did last week.
“We’re looking forward to the earlier timeslot. Just a
little bit more polish and we’ll get over the line.”
DIVISION 1
LADDER: Central 4th
(9-1-4, 117.8%); Blaze 7th (5-8, 92.2%)
FORM (LAST
5): Central LWLWW; Blaze LLLWL
LAST TIME
THEY MET: Round 2 (February 27, 2013), State Netball & Hockey
Centre; Central 37 def. Blaze 35
A potential top two contender, Monash will be looking to
continue their momentum after being the first side to inflict a defeat upon the
top-of-the-table Boroondara Genesis last week.
Monash took apart the competition leaders in a textbook
display of netball, with winners all over the court, with Coach Jacqui Hansen
particularly highlighting the offensive drive of defenders Kate Slattery and
Adele Clydesdale.
The encounter with the Blaze sees the fourth-placed Monash
going for its third win on the trot, a feat it hasn’t been able to achieve in a
fairly up and down season.
Whilst ruing a missed opportunity to jump into their ideal
position of second – just two points separates second from fourth – on the
ladder, they will have their chance against a Blaze side with just one win from
the previous five starts.
Coach Jacquie Hansen told monashuniversitycentral.com.au said there’s element of risk in
complacency off the back of their 13-goal win last week.
“The rest of the season is critical and we need to win all
of our remaining games to challenge for second spot,” Hansen said.
“The good thing is that we have a lot of options in our
squad. We’ve got the ability to rest girls, while there’s girls who are really
hungry in wanting to contribute.”
CHAMPIONSHIP
LADDER: Central 4th
(9-1-4, 117.8%); Blaze 7th (5-8, 92.2%)
FORM (LAST
5): Central LWLWW; Blaze LLLWL
LAST TIME
THEY MET: Round 2 (February 27, 2013), State Netball & Hockey
Centre; Central 37 def. Blaze 35
The once-flying Championship side has been brought back to
earth in recent weeks and will look to rectify the win-loss record with a win
after losses against finals-contending teams in two of the last three weeks.
There have been many positives for Monash, particularly in
gaining star centre Tegan Ashmore back from overseas, while Sarah Main is
getting continuity back in her game and showing flashes of her brilliant 2012
form.
Monash come up against a Blaze side hovering in the middle
of the pack, staring at the possibility of four straight losses.
However Central Coach Leesa Maxfield says the Blaze are not
to be taken lightly, pointing recent competitive performances.
“We’ve seen the Blaze as very much a confidence side in
recent outings,” Maxfield said.
“Once they feel like they’re in with a sniff they can put
goals on you in a hurry. It’ll be up to us to try and close them out early.
“We have to establish our style of netball at the beginning
to ensure we’re not a position to play catch-up netball.”
