CHAMPS BETTER BY HALF
WELL on track for its sixth consecutive premiership with 111 uninterrupted wins and an average winning margin of 39 goals this year, Newtown & Chilwell’s numbers speak for themselves.
Country netball’s greatest domination continued on Saturday, with the Eagles defeating Colac 60-35.
But there was a period where Colac had every right to dare to dream of ending the streak after a hotly contested first half.
Down 16-7 at quarter time, Colac responded with a strong second quarter and at halftime had cut the margin to four goals.
Colac co-coach Hope Carmody said she could not have asked for a better first half.
“(Co-coach) Sarah (Hay) and I were really pleased with how the girls approached the game. We couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Carmody said.
But the Newtown & Chilwell powerhouse showed why it is the best in the competition, with Julia Woolley underlining her elite standing in the attacking end (25 goals from 28) and Danielle Stewart again among the best players.
“Overall the aim of the first half was to stay composed,” coach Jason Woolley said.
“With the competition so strong, you’re always going to come up against teams in the hunt. A couple of close games this season have actually given the girls more confidence.”
The closest any team has been to ending the Eagles’ streak this season was Leopold, in Round 8, which came within five goals.
With goal shooter Kathleen Knott managing injury, Woolley is pleased to report she has two full games under her belt and seems to be in the clear.
It was by no means an easy ride for Knott up against state representative player Brooke Allen. Knott shot her 35 goals at 80 per cent.
“Brooke used her height and created turnover and positive opportunities for the Tigers,” Carmody said.
“In the end Newtown & Chilwell did what good teams do . . . they stayed composed, turned the heat up and created a lot of turnovers, and ran away with a 25-goal win.”
Woolley said Newtown & Chilwell’s success stemmed from a strong culture.
“We train the A, B, C, D and under-19 squads in one big group . . . it means lower grades play against those top tier players and improve where they otherwise wouldn’t,” he said.
“Our girls tend to not think about the streak . . . It’s great to have continuity and every week we just turn up to win.”