Both teams from Lakeside Netball Club, who represent the West Preston Lakeside FC in the Northern Football League Netball Competition, have made the finals which commence this Friday 24th of August at RMIT University, Bundoora.
Emily Thomson leads Lakeside 2, a much improved outfit who have built on their slightly rocky start to the season to finish on top of the ladder in Division 4. Whilst the girls were competitive early, they struggled to convert their form into points on the board. However, after a few rounds together, some astute recruitment and expert coaching, an emphatic turn around in form evolved resulting in, at one point, a 9 game winning streak.
Lakeside 2 are the form team of the competition, however they face a stern test, taking on second placed North Heidelberg this Friday. Thomson has been the teams rock all season in the defence with her partner in crime Ally May. Together the two have developed a formidable partnership rarely allowing over 15 goals a game. Rounding out the defensive trio, Jess Grech and Annie McDonagh have been holding down the WD position ably, assisting the girls with their defensive pressure. After losing a few star players overseas regulars like Jane Scheetz and Monners (Jess Monaghan) have added flexibility and star power to the side. Playing every position on the court, Scheetz has been a revelation for the side and will be vitally important come finals time. Monners has been superb and often travels all the way from Sydney to attend Friday night fixtures, giving her all regardless of the jet lag she may be experiencing. Alongside a few star midcourt players the ever reliable and tenacious play from Veronica in WA ensures the WD on the opposing side is in for a tough night. Setting up play and cutting down opposition drives downcourt have been vital for the team's success. There is little doubt the shooting prowess of Lauren Allan and Lenore Smith has propelled this team to success this season. Week after week double figure points and devoted team play have led to winning scores, usually finishing off the good work from further up the court. If their consistent form continues, a promising finals series awaits.
The game on Friday night will be won in the attacking end, where several key match ups will be vital to the success of the Lakeside team. The girls go into this game confident of continuing their good form and delivering the result they have been working towards all season.
Lakeside Netball Club stalwarts, Rebecca McMahon and Hannah Borci lead the NFL Division One Lakeside team as they head into yet another finals campaign. McMahon, the reigning Best and Fairest winner has had a terrific season and is expected to be a vital cog in the sides surge towards another successful finals series. Borci, an evergreen defender, is often unheralded, but certainly forms the cornerstone of the team in defence. Her output as a defender is unparalleled and should her impressive season continue the Lakeside girls have a strong chance of doing some damage in the finals.
Further up the court the team has been lucky enough to secure Rebecca Caminiti and Lauren McKenna, who add plenty of class and poise to the midcourt. Expect to see them making life hard for the opposition with their exceptional vision, sizzling passes and strong defensive skills. Utility Steph Blyth could be the x-factor going into the finals with her ability to play multiple positions and her endeavour on the court will be crucial. For those unfamiliar with the friday night teams there is no more luminous smile in the league, probably the world, than that of Em Borci. Her shooting sometimes takes a backseat to her electric and vibrant character on court, but make no mistake, she is a deadly accurate shooter who can certainly inspire her team with timely goals under pressure. Borci is joined in the ring by the formidable talents of Bec Lally and Anna Soldatic whose exceptional shooting skills are matched only by their vision and timing both in the ring and down the court. Lauren Anglin rounds out the attacking end, providing exceptional feed into the ring and drive through the midcourt. Rotating throughout the attacking end, these girls add serious firepower and class to an already impressive outfit.
The team faces a challenge coming up against North Heidleberg in an elimination final on Friday night, however confidence and form go a long way. The teams go into the game at 1 all, each team having beaten the other by 10 goals once this season. However the Lakeside girls have put in a month of impressive performances and coach Niall McDonagh is confident of another excellent showing come game time.
9:00pm - Lakeside B vs North Heidelberg RMIT
10:00pm – Lakeside A vs North Heidelberg RMIT
Get down and support what should be enthralling contests and hopefully on to bigger and better things as the finals progress.
Last Modified on 23/08/2012 15:52
