Centrals run riot at start

WERRIBEE Centrals is primed for its shot at redemption after booking a GDFL netball grand final berth with a strong win over Thomson in the second semi-final.

The Centurions, who lost last year’s GDFL decider, are in peak form after powering to victory on Saturday.

Amanda O’Malley, Brigitte Ardossi and Lauren Winter set the scene early, taking intercepts in the first two minutes of the game to create an instant uncertainty in Thomson’s attacking end.

Ellie Tubbs (37 goals) and Jacinta Savory (12) combined seamlessly in goals, giving Centrals a strong start — leading by eight and seven goals at the first two breaks.

The Tigers showed some promise in the second quarter, with Calsey Wolak and Bek Lebish involved in important intercepts, linking with Shannyn Leach and Hannah Flint through the midcourt to the goalers.

But Werribee maintained its break on the scoreboard.

Savory headed to the bench in the final quarter and Ellie Vincent came on, providing an instant impact (six goals). BANNOCKBURN came out strongly in a bruising encounter with Corio yesterday in the knockout semi-final.

Georgia Duncan (29 goals) and Tegan McNamara (15) worked well, shooting accurately in the first quarter.

Leigh Potter and Erin Dillon were strong in defence and were well supported by Abby Loughhead in wing defence.

McNamara moved to defence in the second half and was able to maintain a strong defensive line with Dillon.

Rookie Nicole Osborne took to the court and was straight in to the action. Celeste De Munari and Abbie Avery were influential through the midcourt, helping the Tigers go in to the last quarter with a strong lead and come away with the win.