LIAM PHILLIPS
GAWLER Central was pushed all the way
by a game Nuriootpa side at Centennial
Park in Saturday’s Barossa, Light & Gawler
Netball Association Senior 1 fixture, but
ultimately the visitors survived the test to
win 56-50.
Nuriootpa was coming into the contest
brimming with confidence after three consecutive
wins, and Gawler Central coach Reece
Turtur said he was definitely not expecting an
easy win.
“Nuri has been building for quite a while
into a quality side, and they’ve retained most
of that core unit from 2019, so we knew they
would be a tough game,” he said.
“We did approach this game with a bit of
variation to our game plan from the past couple
of round to try and mix things up and add
a new dimension to our play, and I think it
took the first half for us to iron out some of the
kinks and click into gear.
“We led by three at half-time, and I think
we asserted out authority on the game in second
half. The score remained close throughout,
but I was never quite concerned that we
were in danger of losing..
“We know we can play with a lot of confidence
when we move the ball quickly and get
a lot of speed down the court, but we wanted
to see how we would operate when we slowed
it down, added a few extra passes and played a
more possession-based game so we have that
string to our bow if we need it.”
Turtur said his best-on-court was Dana
Schmid, but also gave a shout-out to Katie
Ward for her 200th game.
“Dana Schmid had an outstanding game
for us in goal shooter – she shot 42 from 44,
which is around 95 per cent and a great return
from her,” he said.
“I also want to give a special mention to Katie
Ward in wing defence – it was her 200th
game for Gawler Central and we were really
happy to get the win for her, and she had a
very consistent performance in helping our
defensive end shut down the Nuri attack.
“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Katie
for a few years now, and she embodies everything
that Gawler Central is about – her loyalty
to the club and commitment to the team is
second-to-none.
“She’s highly respected by the girls and is
one of those players you have full confidence
in to produce and play her role every week.”