Lakers embrace tough run to finals

BACK to winning ways last weekend against Ballarat, Lake Wendouree is eager to test its big-game mettle against an in-form and dangerous Darley.

For the Lakers, who recovered from their upset loss to Sebastopol with a 57-24 win over the Swans, the clash at Darley is the start of a tough run of matches that will leave them in no doubt as to their premiership aspirations.

Following the Devils, Lake Wendouree plays North Ballarat (third), Sunbury (top) and Redan (fifth), before ending the home and away season against East Point (seventh).

The Lakers emerged with a 1-3-1 record against that mix of teams in the first half of the season.

Easily the most intriguing of those matches was the one against Darley, which ended in a draw in early May.

Lakers coach Courtney McLean is expecting the Devils to be an even tougher prospect this time around, following the inclusion of Mavericks training partner Montana Holmes.

“I really like their defenders, Anna (Lawley) and Matilda (Elliot), but Montana adds a lot of experience and class,” she said.

“Last time, our defenders worked really hard against Olivia (Cawthray) and kept her to one of her lowest scores and one of her lowest shooting percentages.

“She’s brilliant – so tall, but so mobile. She’s not your typical holding goaler, she moves a lot and can shoot from long range.

“She will be difficult to stop.

“I would love to repeat our last effort against them, but it will be tough. We’ll have to be on.

“Shannon (Blackman) is doing a great job at Darley.

“Playing coach is a tough gig, but she is such a smart player and a physical player in a disciplined way.

“I really respect her style of play.”

In a further boost for this match, Blackman will be available for the Devils after not playing the last time the teams met.

The Lakers task will be even harder without the absent Sadie Cheesman (family commitments) and Bella Clark (overseas).

On the plus side, goaler Mel Allen is a likely inclusion, back from injury.

Addressing their win over Ballarat, McLean was happy with the Lakers’ response to their shock loss to a Sebastopol team bolstered by the inclusion of two players from Geelong league club St Joseph’s, including former Victoria Fury defender Tori Honner.

“Our defensive pressure was awesome. We had plenty of gains throughout the game,” she said.

“We were a bit messy in our basics against Sebas and didn’t have our silky skill and even lacked a bit of intensity.

“But the girls were solid, and it was great to have Remi Hooper for her first proper game back (from a meniscus injury). She played really well.

“Eb Porter had probably her best game of the season, especially in terms of her shooting.”

With four of their five games to come against top five opponents, McLean is looking forward to what the Lakers’ run to the finals will bring.

“It is a tough run home, but there is no reason why, if we are playing smart, connected netball and focused on doing our basics well, that we can’t compete with anybody,” she said.

“But everything needs to click and everyone needs to be playing their role.”

In other round 13 highlights, top-of-the-ladder Sunbury was too strong for third-placed North Ballarat in a 17-goal win; Darley outplayed cross-town rival Bacchus Marsh for a 24-goal victory; and fifth-placed Redan put another huge dent in East Point’s finals hopes.

The Cobras remain in sixth place, two wins and more than 30 per cent above Sebastopol, with East Point one further game behind.

Round 13 recap: Ballarat 24 lost to Lake Wendouree 57; Darley 58 defeated Bacchus Marsh 34; Melton 37 defeated Sebastopol 28; North Ballarat 59 lost to Sunbury 76; Redan 45 defeated East Point 28.

Round 14: Sunbury v Ballarat; Sebastopol v Redan; East Point v Bacchus Marsh; Darley v Lake Wendouree; North Ballarat v Melton.