WANL 2023: Deja vu as Souwest Jets fall just short against West Coast Warriors

There was a sense of deja vu at the Gold Netball Centre on Friday as the Souwest Jets fell just short of notching a win over the West Coast Warriors, going down by six goals.

Just two weeks after their previous meeting, the Jets were back up against the Warriors during the ninth round of the 2023 WANL season on Friday night.

While the Jets welcomed Brooke Repacholi back from her round eight absence and put the pressure on the Warriors throughout the first half, the Warriors gave themselves a boost to build up a lead.

Although the Jets came firing back in a 14-13 term, it was not enough to secure the win, with the Warriors claiming victory 54-48.

Meanwhile, the Jets’ 20 & under team was overwhelmed by the Warriors, who won 63-30.

Despite managing to score within double digits during the third quarter, the Warriors were already well and truly on their way to victory following a dominant first half that kept the Jets to scoring just six goals and five goals in the first and second terms respectively.

Twins Rachel and Tessa Kilchenmann were the Jets’ highest scorers of the night with 13 goals each, followed by Grace Millichamp and Milla Harker with two goals each.

As attention turns towards the finals, the Jets will return to the Gold Netball Centre once again to face off against the Western Roar.

Currently second on the ladder with a 7-2 record, the Roar have been in strong form after a dominant final quarter effort got them over the line against Rangers last Friday.

The Jets will need to make a fast start from the first centre pass to get one up on the Roar and employ high-pressure defence in order to shut down shooters Sophia Lamers and Emma Putt.

The last time that the Jets and the Roar met was in round four, where the Roar dominated to win 62-30.