With their Championship and Division One squads taking out second place over the season, and their 19 & Under team sneaking into third, Geelong have had one of the most successful seasons of the 2019 competition.
As they head into semi finals Wednesday against old rivals and fierce faces, club president Kerri Scott reflected on the pride she has for her Geelong Cougars.
“It’s pretty awesome to be the president right now,” Scott declared after Round 18.
“We’ve continued to build on what we’ve developed over the last few years with a great coaching core group. I think this year’s achievement is a testament to the coaches in particular.
“Our loyalty from the players is also something that really keeps us going to be as strong as we are now.”
Known for their consistency and cohesiveness, Scott explained family-like-connections to be the essence of Geelong that may carry them through this finals campaign.
“As a club we are very respectful to each other. The club is there to look after everyone, the coaches, the players, the staff. The biggest thing is to allow them to enjoy the netball. It’s a big commitment and they don’t get paid to do it, they do it for love.”
Championship
Cougars have stormed into the finals on the back of a six-game winning streak.
For Scott and the Cougars pack, a premiership in the division would mean one of the biggest successes for their club over the past years.
“We would love this year to take out Championship, that would be our ultimate outcome,
“We’re a very good chance if we come out with our A-game.”
Coming up against the near undefeated City West Falcons in their first finals round, Geelong’s performance on Wednesday has the potential to shift the whole dynamic of finals in Championship.
“The last game we played against City West we only lost by a goal,” said Scott.
“It is for sure going to be neck and neck and we have every chance at being able to beat them. Our biggest challenge will be their height in goals which is normally the toughest thing for their opponents to combat.
“We’re lucky enough now to be getting some of our training partners back like Mel Bragg, Vanessa Augustini, Brooke Allan and possibly Allie Smith. These athletes along with everyone else in the team will give us a lot of depth and it will a different, stronger team that takes the court on Wednesday.”
According to Scott, Cougars’ biggest asset to their Championship team is head coach, Gerard Murphy, who has a paved the way for coaching expectations.
“Because of Gerard, they just know what they need to do. They know what he expects of them and they give 100% because he expects nothing less,
“If they start of right and play for each other they can do anything.”
Geelong Cougars will take on City West Falcons at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday 31 July. They will be on Court 1 at 7.00pm.
Division One
Looking to correct the past will be Cougars’ Division One side. After making it to the Grand Final last year, Geelong just fall short against Hawks who became the 2018 premiers.
“We’ve been a bit up and down this season,”said Scott. “Even though we’re sitting second it probably hasn’t been our most consistent year.”
Despite varying outcomes for this team in the rounds, experience and determination is what Scott believes will guide her girls in what will be a heated final against an old rival.
“At the end of the day they’ve worked really hard and they would love the reward.
For some of them the memory of last year will be an incentive. They’ve just got to work together. They have every chance to win after beating Blaze last week as long as they play their game and keep switched on.
“I’m sure Blaze will be just as keen and we’ve come against them in a number of finals match ups, so there is sure to be a good rivalry to fuel both teams.”
Geelong Cougars will come up against North East Blaze at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday 31 July. They will be on Court 2 at 8.30pm.
19 & Under Female
Versatility and decisiveness have proven the best assets for Cougars’ youngest team in the league.
Scott is excited to see the outcome for the side, some of whom hope to debut in their first Bupa VNL final.
“It’s going to be a bit of a challenge for them in this finals campaign. They’re up against some good teams as far as City West, Peninsula and Southern Saints.
“We very much have to be on court together because there are no second chances for us. If we don’t start well that’s where we might struggle so it’s actually going to be very exciting with the 19’s with their match ups on court and could go either way.”
Geelong Cougars and Wilson Storage Southern Saints will battle it out at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday 31 July. They will be on Court 1 at 8.30pm.
