600-day wait ends in draw for Cougars

A SHOT on the siren has robbed the Geelong Cougars of a fairytale win in their first match in more than 600 days.

The Cougars got off to a flying start in their comeback game against City West Falcons in an intense opening round of the Victorian Netball League but had to settle for a draw.

The shooting combination of Julia Woolley and Zanna Woods created plenty of movement, giving the mid court options to the post.

It was a triumphant return for Woods after spending more than 2½ years away from the court battling injury.

The Cougars led 19-12 at the first break, but the Falcons settled in the second quarter and clawed the margin back to five goals at the main break.

Allie O’Connor, also returning after an extended period away from the game, was tied up in a tough battle with Collingwood training partner Maggie Lind.

And when Geelong’s Vanessa Augustini left the court with an elbow injury in the third quarter, the momentum shifted and the Falcons added five straight goals to their tally.

The final quarter played out in a tight goal-for-goal battle right to the final siren.

Meanwhile, the Cougars’

Division 1 team started its VNL campaign strongly with a 58-39 with over the Falcons.

Georgie Cuthbertson was outstanding in goal attack, shooting 26 from 31 attempts.

The new-look Cougars 19and-under team also started with a bang, beating the Falcons 48-37. Nine new faces have joined the team, with a majority coming up through the Geelong Flyers development program.