Déjà vu as Centurions eliminate Blues

WERRIBEE Centrals is again heading back to the Geelong & District Netball League Grand Final after eliminating Winchelsea for the second time in as many seasons.

The Centurions battled for four quarters against the minor premiers, with star defender and co-Margaret Webb Medallist Amanda O’Malley returning to the line-up despite fighting a back complaint, eventually winning yesterday’s (Saturday, September 9) clash, 25-30.

Werribee edged out to a slim 9-11 quarter-time lead but Winchelsea brought the contest back into favour with a 8-5 win in the second quarter, assuming the half-time lead 17-16 at the midway point of the Preliminary Final.

The Centurions turned up the pressure in the third to reclaim the lead and a three-goal 22-25 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Werribee’s stingy defence was again a factor in the final term, limiting Winchelsea to a mere three goals in the fourth quarter.

The Centurions’ five goals of its own in the fourth cemented its win at St Albans Reserve, earning the right to play a rematch of last year’s Grand Final against defending champions East Geelong.

Werribee’s scoring rotation of Jenni Rothery (19 goals), Jacinta Savory (six), and Ellie Tubbs (five) did the job again.

Meanwhile, Winchelsea relied on Ebony Berg (12 goals), Olivia Paatsch (seven), and Melody Philpott (six) but it wasn’t enough for the Blues to get themselves back into the contest.

Rothery, Caitlin Hendricksen, and Melissa Prismall were listed as best-on-court for the Centurions, while Philpott, playing-coach Casey Carroll, and Gemma Stavenuiter were listed the same for the Blues.

Next week’s Grand Final at St Albans between East Geelong and Werribee Centrals begins on Saturday at 3pm.