NETBALL FEATURE | Bulldogs see chance to rebound
By Kieren Iles
BENDIGO TIMES
Meanwhile, Gisborne dual premiership coach Tarryn Rymer is backing her side to rebound after coming up short against Sandhurst for the third time this season last week at the QEO.
In a repeat of their round 16 clash, the Dragons and Bulldogs will go head-to-head in this Saturday’s qualifying final, with the winner to advance to a second semi-final showdown against undefeated Kangaroo Flat the following weekend.
The winner of that clash will be grand final bound.
Rymer said the Bulldogs certainly had their chances in last Saturday’s four-goal loss, but had failed to capitalise, particularly early, when they lead 5-0 on the back of a blistering start.
“Consistency is the key for us. We played patches of good netball, but patches don’t get you a win,” she said.
“We were great out of the blocks, scoring the first five goals, but we just stopped winning ball and let Sandhurst have their way.
“It wasn’t our best game, but it’s better to get it out of the way now.
“It was a nice little reality check.”
Highlighting their struggle for consistency, despite their promising start, the Bulldogs still trailed the Dragons by three goals at quarter time.
The margin was four at half-time and only one at three-quarter time.
A source of optimism, the Bulldogs are gradually pulling closer to the Dragons.
The margin was 18 goals in their round six clash at the QEO; five goals at Gisborne in round 13; and four goals last week.
Rymer pinpointed goal defence Ruby Turner and midcourters Shae Clifford and Meg Williams as the Dragons players who had inflicted the most damage on the Bulldogs last Saturday.
Goal keeper Charlee Kemp was the standout for the Bulldogs, who lost midcourter Emerson Lakey in the final quarter with an ankle injury.
Rymer shunned any notion of the Dragons having a psychological edge on the Bulldogs.
“We know we can beat them and have done it in the past; we just need to be consistent enough to do it,” she said.
Round 16 recap: Sandhurst 48 defeated Gisborne 44; Strathfieldsaye 67 defeated Golden Square 46; Kangaroo Flat 94 defeated South Bendigo 50.
