COURT REPORT

Werribee’s task is to hold Tigers by the tail

A QUICK look at the numbers tells you exactly where this grand final will be won and lost.

Thomson has been the most attacking team in the competition all year, averaging 55.38 goals a game during the homeand-away season, and their goalers Errin Lang and Elley Heard have proven to be unstoppable on many occasions.

But Werribee Centrals, who have dominated the GDFL in recent years, are by far the best defensive team we have seen in 2017.

They have conceded just 34.66 goals per game thanks largely to the work of Gemma Grimmond, Brigitte Ardossi and Amanda Wilson.

Grimmond will most likely get first crack at Lang, who was runner-up in this year’s Marg Webb medal count.

That battle in particular could go a long way to deciding the outcome of the match.

If Werribee can restrict the Tigers to fewer than 45 goals then that should be enough to secure the win.

If not, I don’t know whether Werribee has the capacity to match Thomson on the scoreboard.

Centrals will not want to turn this into a shootout because as good as Eleanor Tubbs and Jacinta Savoury are, Thomson’s firepower in the circle is formidable.

In the midcourt, Tigers gun Jo Couch has enjoyed a sensational season and was a worthy representative as centre in the team of the year.

She has youth on her side, but her direct opponent, Werribee playing coach Nicole Stewart, has the edge when it comes to experience.

Their matchup will be worth the entry fee alone, although I anticipate Stewart will have her hands full juggling the joint roles of coaching and playing. She has done it brilliantly all year and man- aging it on such a big occasion will be vital to her team’s hopes on Saturday.

Werribee needs to ensure it sticks to the structures it has had in place this year that saw it finish on top of the table and not panic if things go awry.

Thomson is well coached by Terry Corry so it is going to have its moments but how Centrals respond will be the key.

If the Tigers start well it will be really interesting to see how the remainder of the game un- folds, but given how well they’ve played during the year, I’m tipping a Werribee win.

Bridgitte Burns is Corio Netball Club senior coach.