Top spot, and two bites of the cherry in the Rawson Homes Premiership A grade finals.
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That’s what Fusion Heat have officially secured as they continued their unbeaten run in the Dubbo Netball Association’s top flight competition with a 62-21 win over Macquarie Hornets on Saturday.
It was a tough game for the under-strength Heat in windy conditions, and captain Tash Robinson credited shooter Tash Janetzki and goal attack Ally McLean for rising to the occasion.
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“We only had seven girls on the weekend,” Robinson said.
“Ally McLean, she was shooting the long bombs from everywhere and with the weather … it makes it so much harder … throwing 50-50 balls into the hoop when the wind is howling.
“Tashy Janetzki was great in the shooting end. She usually plays mid-court, she is known to be a shooter when she needs to be and we stuck her in there this weekend and she really pulled through for us.”
The Heat came out firing on Saturday, putting 10 points on before the Hornets got on the board.
It was satisfying for a side that has been slow to start at times throughout the season.
Robinson was pleased to see them “firing out of the blocks” at the right end of the season.
“To come out firing, especially two weeks out from the finals, is really satisfying for us,” she said.
“Once we get into the finals it’s a completely different ball game so we need to bring our A game, start strong and then carry that through the game.”
They have only to overcome the fourth-placed Giants this weekend to maintain their undefeated status in the regular season, but Robinson said they won’t be underestimating the side with “a lot of young guns”.
“They can really give us a run for our money so we’ll still be working hard for the win this weekend.”
The Heat can’t be caught as they lead the competition ladder on 39 points ahead of St Collegians (32), Fusion Vixens (29) and Fusion Giants (25).
Finishing first means they are guaranteed two shots at a grand final berth, with a second chance elimination final if they fail to win their major semi final on September 1.
“Things can happen easily in the finals,” Robinson said.
“So at least if we don’t secure that first spot in the grand final, we have given ourselves a bit of breathing room with a second chance so I’m really happy for the girls.”
St Collegians are guaranteed to finish second after defeating their nearest rivals Fusion Vixens 56-21 on Saturday ahead of the bye this weekend.
Fusion Fire narrowly overcame Fusion Giants 42-39 in the other game of the round.