Warriors’ win a finals warm-up

REIGNING premier Modewarre proved why they are the team to beat, outlasting Geelong Amateur by six goals in an ideal warm-up to the finals.

The Warriors held their nerve in a low-scoring armwrestle, claiming a 35-29 win on Saturday to finish the season on top of the ladder.

But coach Matt Armstrong is keeping the lid firmly on expectations heading into what promises to be a challenging final series ahead.

“It was a tough contest. There were no easy balls and it was a sharp, clean contest,” Armstrong said.

“I was pleased with our ability to maintain possession and at least get it into the ring from every centre pass, but every game is tough.”

The Warriors made the early running, opening up an eight-goal lead at halftime.

But the lead was quickly eroded in the third quarter when Ammos surged back into the game, shooting 11-5 to get within two goals at the final break.

“We had a really good second quarter but as all good sides do they came back at us strongly in the third quarter,” Armstrong said.

Alex Smith (20 goals) stood od up in the absence of injured ed shooter Kim Martin, while ile Lauren Lapsley again proved ed why Modda’s versatility makes es it the leading BFL threat.

“Lauren transitioned well ell from goal attack to wing deefence and shut down their attack beautifully,” Armstrong ng said.

Ammos assistant coach ch Breda O’Kane said she was immpressed with her team’s ability ty to bounce back from a disapppointing second quarter.

“We fought back well in the he third, which gave us confifidence in our capacity to turn rn things around against strong ng teams,” she said.

“It’s a good check coming ng into finals. Modda are defifinitely a great benchmark.”

With a Geelong Amateur rv v Barwon Heads qualifying final nal next up, O’Kane said there was as no time to dwell on the loss, innstead setting sights on training ng this week.

“The training focus will be keeping the workrate up defensively and providing ng more options in attack,” she he said. “Basically simulating the he intensity of a finals game me where you have to play 15 minnutes straight of perfect netball.” l.”

Modewarre has earned a week off, and will face the winnner of the Ammos-Seagulls lls clash.