West Coast Warriors have the chance to claim a third consecutive Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League Opens Premiership after qualifying for the Grand Final with a convincing 62-30 win over ECU Souwest Jets in Friday night’s Semi Final.
Warriors Coach Lorraine Ward said she was thrilled with the performance of her side.
“I thought they were just amazing, again I can’t believe it was that much difference, but I am super, super proud of them,” she said.
“If you had told me it would be that score today, I would have said you’re mad, but I’m pretty happy that it was.”
“I thought they had a really good mindset today and they were pretty determined. It was important that we established what we wanted to do out there early and they did that.”
“I think it’ll be a really interesting battle between Roar and Jets [in the Preliminary Final] and I don’t know who will end up playing [in the Grand Final]. What will be will be. We will prepare for both and enjoy a bit of a break as well.”
Although Warriors had the first centre pass of the evening, Jets pushed straight in and switched the pressure on, forcing Warriors to keep the ball being passed around in the centre third. Setting the standard for the game, Hana Stokes put the first few goals in for Warriors for the evening after winning possession back.
With Stephanie Cooper in GK and Caitlyn Brown in GD making a brilliant duo for Warriors, the team was off to a strong defensive start, staying in front of Jets’ shooters. However, with Giselle Taylor in GS for Jets, these defenders could not easily disturb her focus on the net.
In Centre for Warriors, Kellie Baker jumped into an amazing intercept on Jets’ centre pass, leading to Warriors winning the first quarter 12-8.
Jets were out to make a comeback for the second quarter, coming in with two goals almost immediately. In the same essence Warriors have been playing all season, they were able to ramp up the speed while retaining their passing accuracy.
Cassie Farquhar-Reid showed her speed playing WA for Jets, moving quickly in front of her opposition to take possession of the ball.
Jets showed off an excellent long pass from the centre third straight to shooter Taylor, who put it in the goal. Warriors successfully replicated this strategy with the next goal.
Warriors GD Caitlyn brown easily passed the ball around and brought it right up to the line of the opposition’s goal third, making lots of ground despite the pressure from Jets pushing up towards her. For Warriors, it was their ability to pass, receive and shoot that allowed them to dominate the first half of the Semi Final by 10 points, settling at halftime with a score of 28-18 quickly and smoothly.
With such a significant lead to Warriors, the pressure was on for Jets. Jets GA Brooke Gibson was ready to give that challenge a go, pulling off some deep range goals that swished straight into the net.
Changing their players around and substituting in, Warriors seemed unstoppable, keeping the pressure and speed up especially as their experienced WA Hayley McKee came on, working hard around the goal circle to create opportunities for her team’s shooters. With such opportunity, Warriors continued to widen the margin to 42-25 by the end of the third quarter.
Halfway through the final quarter, Warriors doubled Jets’ score and it seemed any time Jets tried to make their way towards the goal circle, GD Stephanie Cooper wouldn’t let them too far in. When the siren was sounded, Warriors had defeated Jets 62-30, an exceptional way to secure their spot in the Grand Final on August 27.
Jets will play in the Preliminary Final against Roar on Friday, August 20.
SEMI FINAL SCOREBOARD
Open
Western Roar defeated Curtin Hamersley Comets 61-41
West Coast Warriors defeated ECU Souwest Jets 62-30
Men
Curtin Hamersley Comets defeated Southside Demons 53-33
West Coast Warriors defeated Western Roar 48-46
20U
Southside Demons defeated Western Roar 54-45
Rangers defeated East Freo Sharks 63-45
