Centurions set for another second-half charge

LAST year’s Geelong & District Netball League Grand Final runner-up Werribee Centrals will make sure all complacency is erased from its preparation when it hosts Anakie this weekend.

Centurion wing-attack and assistant coach Nicole Weatherley says her team finds itself in a similar position to last year; just inside the top five at the halfway point of the season.

“It’s not ideal to be in a position but we seem to manage the second half of the season well.

“I’ve played at Centrals for almost 300 games, we’ve always made finals, and prior to last season I had never played on a Sunday.

“We’ve dropped a few close games this season to some top sides, but our familiarity with one another is a great tool of ours we can rely on towards the end of the year.”

The Centurions routed bottom of the ladder side Geelong West last weekend, 19-77, securing its sixth win of the season and placing it two points ahead of Corio and four points clear of Thomson.

Werribee was led by its trio of shooters in Ellie Tubbs, Jacinta Savoury and Jenny Rothery against the Giants, with 34, 28 and 15 goals respectively.

Weatherley said this week’s game against Anakie was as perfect example of a game the Centurions needed to be ready for.

“They are a team to watch closely and have really pushed quality sides this season.

“The competition across the board is very even and we need the momentum heading into a tough two-week stretch against Winchelsea and Bannockburn.”

Weatherley praised long-time defender Amanda O’Malley for her contributions this season.

“It’s our job as the attackers to reward her efforts up the other end, she’s been instrumental in close games,” Weatherley said.

“I might be a little bit biased here, but she’d have to be up there with the best keepers in the competition.”

The Centurions and Roos begin play at Galvin Park at 3.15pm.