LIAM PHILLIPS
GAWLER Central didn’t miss a beat
during the enforced time off, returning to
the Barossa, Light & Gawler Netball Association
Senior 1 court with a 58-45 home
win against Angaston.
The win bolsters the Tigers’ position in
second place, now more than a win ahead of
third-placed South Gawler, with one in from
the last two weeks of the season all that is required
to secure a double-chance.
Gawler Central coach Reece Turtur said for
his side, the time off wasn’t necessarily a bad
thing.
“I think it was probably a bit of a blessing in
disguise for us,” he said.
“It gave us an opportunity to give ourselves
a bit of a break and get over any little niggles
or injuries we might have accumulated over the
season, and also to refresh our minds a little bit.
“I think it has allowed us to approach these
last couple of games before hitting finals with
a renewed sense of enthusiasm, and also, having
the two games of forced draws be against
Barossa District and South Gawler probably
isn’t a bad thing either.”
Turtur praised the work of his experienced
players, but specifically his goal attack.
“I was really impressed with Jodie Rich-
Nourse in goal attack – I thought she was instrumental
I our attacking line and was quite
the barometer for us,” he said.
“She gave us a lot of drive in our attacking
half, and the linking between our mid-courters
and Dayna (Schmid) was super strong.
“(Rich-Nourse) was one that was coming
back from an injury after she had a bit of a
calf tear, so those couple of weeks certainly
gave her the opportunity to get back to where
she needs to be and I was really proud of how
she re-entered the game.
“I also thought Casey Black at centre was
just consistent all day in the best way – her
intensity and ability to maintain structure, as
well as knowing when to speed up or slow
down the pace, was really important for the
way we played.”