IMPERIALS made it two wins on the trot with a commanding 60-45 result over Red Cliffs, delivering a well-rounded performance that has highlighted their growth in confidence as a squad since the beginning of the season.
From the opening minutes, the visitors asserted themselves at Quandong Park through some rapid ball movement and sharp execution.
Ebony Ietto and Imps skipper Meg McManus were instrumental in attack, consistently finding space in the circle and finishing with precision.
Ietto finished the contest with 22 goals while McManus slotted 38 as the captain’s offensive rebounding was unstoppable under the post on Saturday.
Her sister Maddy McManus returned to the side in wing attack and alongside centre, Tracey Sherlock, the pair were pivotal in providing elite distribution and playmaking for the Imps.
“It was a pretty tough day,” said Maddy McManus.
“We always knew Red Cliffs were going to be physical, but we kept our heads, kept composure, and showed a lot of maturity across the court.”
The interplay between McManus and Sherlock repeatedly broke through Red Cliffs’ defensive lines, creating an abundance of scoring opportunities.
“We’ve had a few new combinations this year,” said McManus.
“Now it’s all starting to click as everyone’s backing each other and really starting to gel.”
Red Cliffs rallied in the second quarter, as their goal shooter Zara Copley who is second in the league for most goals scored and ended with 32, supplied a real threat reducing the deficit to just three before halftime.
“Our defenders, Maggie (Monaghan) and Kia (Scott), were huge,” McManus said.
“They had a big task on their hands against sharp shooters like Zara Copley, so it was important to keep possession, and I think we all did that really well.”
Disciplined defending from Monaghan and Scott combined with a suspension to Red Cliffs’ Morna Naquto in the third disrupted any new-found momentum from the hosts.
“We’ve switched a bit of mindset from last year and it’s really starting to show on court and at training,” McManus said.
“We’re just feeding off everyone’s positivity and I think that’s really showing.”
The Imperials now sit fifth in the SFNL ladder above sixth place Red Cliffs and prepare to face Robinvale at John James Oval next week as they will be looking to make it three on the bounce while solidifying their finals push.
“We haven’t had a lot of success A Grade-wise for quite a bit, so our goal is to creep up into those final spots and make that top four,” McManus said.
“We want to show everyone that we might be a little young but we’ve got the mature head to get through it.”
