Tara Murray
Werribee Centrals were happy to walk away with the draw against Thomson in the Geelong and District Netball League on Saturday.
While the Centurions entered the match as the higher ranked team, Thomson took it up to them throughout the contest.
Thomson led by four goals at quarter time, before the Centurions took in a two goal lead to half time.
The margin was just one at the final break in the favour of Thomson. The final quarter was goal for goal, with the Centurions scoring a goal in the dying seconds to get a 40-all draw.
Centurions coach Hailey Kennedy said it was one of those games that could have gone either way.
“We definitely wanted to win the game and it was a bit closer than we would have liked,” she said.
“We would have liked to take the win, but we were happy with the draw as well.
“We started slow and they were definitely on top of us to start with. Once we found our momentum and supported each other… It was really good.
“In the end it was a matter of timing.”
Bridgette Ardossi shot 36 goals for the Centurions after coming on in the first quarter when Ellie Tubbs went off with the blood rule.
Kennedy said it was a luxury to have depth in the shooting circle.
“We put Bridgette on and both goalers were working well together, so we kept it that way,” he said.”
“We have another goaler Jenni [Rothery] who is injured. We bought Jacinta [Savory] in to support them.
“It’s a luxury to have the options to fill the spaces when we need them.”
The Centurions sit in third spot after 14 rounds, six points off top and two points off second.
Kennedy said it had been a challenging season.
“I feel like clubs have recruited really well,” she said. “Back in the day, I’ve been around the club for a long time, Ellie was one of the tallest goalers and other teams had trouble matching up on her.
“Clubs have brought in height, size and strength to go against us. We’ve been together for such a long time, that helps us.”
Kennedy said the side, which finished runners up last season, was keen to go one better this season.
“We’ve had a good season and we’re only going to improve as the season goes on,” she said.
“I don’t like finishing top or fifth. The week off with top changes the momentum.
“Finishing in two or three, it’s a good position to be in.”
