Timely win means boost for Cougars
A RESOUNDING 43-goal win against the Wilson Southern Storage Saints has given the Geelong Cougars a timely percentage boost and seen them leap into second spot on the Victorian Netball League ladder.
The return of Australian Netball League stars Brooke Allan, Vanessa Augustini and Mel Bragg yesterday enhanced an already strong line-up, which shot away to an early 16-6 lead and never allowed the Saints back into the contest.
Cougars coach Gerard Murphy labelled the 72-29 victory as “one of the best” for the 2019 season and praised his team for its consistency throughout the match.
“One of the best things about the match was the girls were consistent and maintained their drive through the whole game,” Murphy said.
“Usually when you win a quarter you might drop off a bit but there were no patches of lost concentration — everyone kept pushing.
“We made some changes and everyone just pushed through and kept going, which was awesome. I was really happy with it.
“It was the least number of goals we have had scored against us, and they are fourth on the ladder, so we just had a great game and to have the ANL girls back was great, they jelled perfectly.”
The Cougars now face Melbourne University Lightning before taking on the thirdplaced North East Blaze — a match that will all but determine which team earns the double chance and first crack at ladder leaders City West Falcons.
Murphy said the big score against the Saints would be vital in shaping final ladder positions. “It could be the difference between second or third and we didn’t emphasise that but it just turned out we had a strong game,” he said.
“That could help us, but we play them next Saturday … and that will sort out second or third, but they also play City West, who are top.”
In Division 1, the Cougars posted a 52-49 win over the Southern Saints, while the 19and-under team came up short, losing 44-59. MORE NETBALL: PAGE 34