After finishing second, WA won through to the Gold Medal match against the undefeated South Australia by defeating Victoria by 11 goals in their semi-final clash.
The final was a tight affair with the sides tied at quarter time before the South Australians took a three-goal lead into the half time break.
WA responded in the third quarter to trail by one goal with one quarter remaining.
However, it was the undefeated South Australian outfit who took advantage of some critical moments early in the fourth quarter when WA did not execute to record an 11-goal victory.
Coach Karly Guadagnin said the team stuck to their brand and kept hitting their targets throughout the whole week.
“Our team was hungry and focused at Nationals this year and really performed in the moments of games with high scoring power. They were united as a team and were driven by our CHAMPS mentality!” Guadagnin said.
“We had specific targets we wanted to meet each game and one of them was to score 10 goals plus each quarter and keep our opposition to under 10 goals each quarter. As well as high scoring power we were focused at converting our possession throughout the games and building pressure in defence.
“We continued to talk about outsmarting, outworking and outlasting our oppositions in each game. We needed to ensure we were in the moments and executing and being aware of what we look like at our best was vital as well as having a championship mindset.
“Our full court defensive pressure was really tough for teams to attack against and we used this to our advantage.
“Our scoring power from our shooters was amazing and Georgie Cleaver was exceptional for us all week.”
Much like the 17/U Team, the 19/Us included six out of the 12 athletes who were bottom agers in a great sign for the Netball WA Pathway and the future of the game in this State.
Game-by-Game
WA 49 defeated ACT 26
The 19/U State Team got their campaign underway with a 49-26 over ACT with their high scoring power in display in three out of four quarters.
WA 35 defeated NSW 27
WA’s full court defensive pressure started to build during this game and this was becoming something that teams were struggling to attack against as they secured a 35-27 victory.
This early victory over New South Wales would help to set up a top four finish for the West Australians as they showed they were ready to perform in the big moments.
WA 48 defeated VIC 45
WA were again focused on playing their brand of netball against the Victorians side and the game proved to be a tight contest with WA prevailing by three goals, 48-45.
Both teams had high shooting volumes and percentages with Victoria shooting at 90 per cent and WA at 92 per cent for the game. The West Australian full court defensive pressure was again fantastic as they put the Vics under real pressure in attack.
WA 40 defeated TAS 35
Tasmania were playing a great brand of netball these Nationals as they pushed teams and WA needed to be at their best for this game. WA were at their best and secured a 40-35 win.
WA 45 defeated QLD 44
WA led the close contest at every change but Queensland wouldn’t give in and Jasmah Haywood’s composure under pressure was crucial for WA.
Haywood had an opportunity to secure the win for WA with a shot after the siren and she was up to the challenge as she nailed it from the goal circle ark.
WA 28 lost to SA 35
The top of the table clash and ultimately, a prelude to the Gold Medal match proved South Australia were going to be a tough team to beat at these championships.
The South Australians were put under pressure by WA throughout the contest but it was the second quarter where they took advantage as WA had one low quarter for the game.
The match provided great learnings for the group as the margin created during the second quarter proved too big to catch up later in the game.
WA 57 defeated 25
WA was able to try some different combinations and ensure all of our players got their opportunity on the court in a 57-25 win over the hosts, the Northern Territory.
Semi-Final: WA 42 defeated VIC 31
WA set up the game as they came out of the blocks firing with a first quarter score of 11 to Vics eight.
The lead built again after a fantastic second quarter scoring built a 13-goal advantage at the main break and from here the team was on track.
The semi-final was an incredible team effort and again WA’s defensive pressure was too good for the Vics as they won 42-31 to secure a spot in the Gold Medal match.
