Cougars roar into finals in top form

THE Geelong Cougars’ three teams are in strong positions to contend for the premiership after wrapping up the VNL home-and-away season in style.

The Cougars Division 1 team finished on top, while the Championship team finished second and the 19-and-under finished third.

The Cougars tuned up for finals on Wednesday night with all sides posting wins against Hawks Netball.

In Championship, the Cougars’ 66-47 win was anchored by strong performances from players including Emily Post, Holly Hood, Vanessa Augustini, Tayla Honey and Mel Bragg.

Ruby Horton played a strong game, coming on to provide another dominant scoring option.

The goaling stats were again impressive, with the Cougars’ shooters missing only four for the game.

Cougars defenders were faced with the task of nullifying Hawks goal shooter Kim Commane.

Commane recently stepped up to the Melbourne Vixens to replace injured Mwai Kumwenda.

The Division 1 Cougars finished the season as minor premiers after a 53-47 win over the third-placed Hawks in Laura Giles’s 50th game with the Cougars.

While the game had no impact on the ladder, it was crucial in setting the tone for the finals campaign.

Hannah Van Gemst, Simone Hickman, Gen O’Connor and Ali O’Connor were among the best.

In 19-and-under, the Cougars were too strong for the Hawks, winning 65-39.

The shooting combination of Ruby Barkmeyer and Darcy McFarlane rocketed the Cougars to an early lead.

A 20-goal third term blew the game apart and they charged to an unbeatable lead.

Coach Mel Savage continued to tweak her mid-court line-up, throwing constant changes.

Mikayla Hellmann and Ruby Pekin-Schlicht provided height and effort in defence, while Jessie Lang and Georgia Ryan showed speed and creative attacking plays.