Lakers coach lauds full team effort

LAKE Wendouree coach Meg Porter has praised a ‘complete team effort’ following her side’s 17-goal win over East Point on Saturday.,

The Lakers moved to 4-1-1 with what Porter described as a ‘particularly hard-fought’ 56-39 win over a determined Kangaroos, who were looking for their first win of the season.

“We certainly had to work hard for it and to play well. East are a good young side,” she said.

“It was the second quarter when we put a bit of a gap on them,” she added in reference to a 19-8 second term run after the Lakers led by five goals at quarter time.

“The girls did an awesome job and really stepped up the pressure.

“From then on it was on a par, with East finishing a few goals up in the last quarter, but I was happy overall.”

Porter said the most pleasing part of the win was the even spread of contributions.

“Honestly, it was a full team effort and that’s what is going to win you games,” she said.

“Everyone did the job.

“It was windy as, but our shooters Eb (Ebony Porter) and Addi (Funcke), did an awesome job given the conditions.

“As we know, Lakers (C.E. Brown Reserve) is always windy and there’s no shelter. It’s always going to be hard, but the girls did well.

“Our centre court put a lot of pressure on and were patient.

“We got a lot of turnovers. What we were aiming for was if we got a turnover, we wanted to score off and that is where we built the lead in the second quarter.

“Our defenders did well too and I was able to make lots of changes and try things as we have 10 girls.

“We were able to give everyone a good go.”

All but one player featured in at least three quarters of action, with only goal shooter Funcke, centre Sadie Cheesman and goal keeper Kate Drew kept in the same position throughout their time on court.

The Lakers’ fourth win followed a loss to reigning premier Darley in round 5 in which they were unable to recover from an eight-goal first quarter deficit on the way to 59-43 loss.

“Most other games we have got away to a good start, which has helped us, but not that day,” Porter said.

“It’s a tough competition. I was looking at the ladder; you have to play well every game.

“There are no easy ones and you need to be on your game every week.”

The Lakers will head into the interleague weekend bye in third spot on the ladder behind undefeated Darley (6-0) and North Ballarat (5-0-1), on level points with their next opponent Sunbury.

Porter said they would have a better gauge of their standing following a tough three-week stretch of games that also includes showdowns Bacchus Marsh and North Ballarat.

Elsewhere, Ballarat’s resurgence continued with a gritty seven-goal win over Melton.

The Swans (3-2-1) moved into fourth spot on the ladder ahead of a key battle with Bacchus marsh on May 30 with a 44-37 win at MacPherson Park.

It was achieved without star goal shooter Dakota Blade and fellow recruit Eliza Burge.

Youngster Ava Ferrier stepped up in Blade’s absence to lead all shooters on court with 27 goals.

Sunbury won a key battle with Bacchus Marsh 50-32, North Ballarat overcame a persistent Redan 59-44, while Darley was too strong for Sebastopol, winning 60-22.

Olivia Cawthray shot 40 goals for the Devils.

Round 7 draw (May 30): East Point v Melton; Sunbury v Lake Wendouree; Ballarat v Bacchus Marsh; Darley v Redan; Sebastopol v North Ballarat.