Centurions triumph without defensive leader

WERRIBEE Centrals will again make its way to the Geelong & District Netball League (GDNL) Preliminary Final, defeating Thomson in today’s (Sunday, September 3) First Semi-Final, 47-41.

The Centurions needed to defeat Thomson the hard way at St Albans Reserve, playing without star defender Amanda O’Malley who was omitted from the line-up.

O’Malley’s absence didn’t stop Werribee from attaining an early 10-7 lead at quarter time, led by the combination of Centrals’ shooters Ellie Tubbs and Jenni Rothery.

Thomson and Werribee endured a seesawing second quarter with neither side able to pull away from the other, as the Centurions held a 23-18 advantage at half-time.

Werribee Centrals scored 13 times in the third quarter, limiting Thomson to eight goals in the same stretch, to take a commanding 10-goal lead into the fourth.

The Tigers attempted a final quarter comeback, outscoring Werribee 11-15 in the final minutes, but ultimately fell short after a gallant effort and were defeated by six goals.

Tubbs and Rothery combined for 44 of Werribee’s 47 goals across four quarters, while Jacinta Savoury worked into the rotation to add three of her own.

Thomson’s Cheyenne Philpott and Emma Witham compiled 27 and 14 goals respectively, but it wasn’t enough to get the Tigers over the line on this occasion.

Melissa Prismall, Tubbs, and Brigitte Ardossi were listed as best-on-court for the Centurions, meanwhile Thomson’s Courtney Leith, Morgan Byrne, and Calsey Wolak received similar praise for their efforts.

Today’s result was a repeat of last year’s post-season meeting between the two clubs with Werribee Centrals eliminating Thomson in Week 2 of the GDNL finals, again by six goals.

Like last year as well, Werribee will need to defeat Winchelsea in next Saturday’s (September 6) if it is to play in this year’s Grand Final.

The winner of next week’s contest between the Centurions and the Blues will play defending premiers East Geelong on September 16.