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Watson, Burger and Crampton due to attend training camp mid December
I’d probably agree with the outlined 12.
The midcourt is going to be tricky. TBH there just isn’t room for two specialists WA.
Just makes ANZp that much more exciting hoping the possible 12 have an excellent season.
I think the midcourt suggested – Crampton, Heffernan, Souness and Toeava – is fine if one of Burger (first choice if fully fit) or Johnson are picked in the defensive end.
Crampton – WA
Heffernan – WD/C
Souness – C/WA
Toeava – WA
Burger or Johnson as WD back-up, Karaka as third choice WD (at a stretch)Remember by that CWG bronze medal match we had six midcourters (counting Johnson and Mes..)
IMO 2 WA who only play that position is not a option. What happens if the main C gets injured in game 1. Then what happens 1 C for the next 7 games. Toeava is the 3nd choice WA.
I would usually agree with McLoed,
But then i think back to 2011 diamonds and 2019 ferns world champion teams. Both elected to go with a 34-3-5 split, rather than the usual 4. if i recall correctly, Hallinan had had a lacklustre domestic seaosn after her break out year in 2009, so Plummer opted for three GD/WD slides instead. The Taurua loaded the defence end to help nurse Kopua back to internationals again. Again, Grant and Burger used as GD/WD slides. I guess my point is that sometimes the quality and mix of the team requires different splits across the court. Also, Surely Toeava and Crampton ‘could’ play C if required in round robin games? if Souness went down for example, id be very comfortable with a Heffernan C Burger WD line. I feel like We need Toeava there as her connection with Nweke is incredible, but i’d feel more comfortable with Crampton’s safer set of hands coming on if required in a medal match, rather than a utility player warming the bench for the big games. While Gordon’s defence is an asset, with Heffernan, Burger and Watson in the mix, i feel our attack is where we need the most options.for that reason, Id take Toeava, Crampton, Souness and Heffernan as the middies next year (unless some drastic changes in form happen ofcourse!)
I think this is how the team is shaping so far…
Nweke GS
Wilson GS/GA
Ekenasio GA/GS
Selby-Rickitt GA/GS
Toeava WA
Crampton WA
Souness C/WA
Heffernan WD/C
Jury GK
Karaka GD/GK
Burger WD/GD
Watson GKI’d be tempted to swap Crampton for Gordon as Gordon is a good utility player for tournaments.
@museboy I reckon that’ll be close to if not the team (but who knows with Noels)
I would really like to see Gordon in there too…and if Georgia Heffernan keeps going the way she is – she’d have to be pushing TPSR for the 4th shooter role
I think as long as Watson is back to full fitness then there shouldn’t be any questions on the defence (Burger was training with the Fast5 team apparently so she will be) and I really hope she doesn’t put Sulu in for sentimental reasons – if she does she’s leaving someone out who is much better
Agree museboy I think that will be the team too.
@museboy I think you’re on the money there.
Previously I had TPSR clinging onto that fourth shooter spot with Metuarau nipping at her heels. What Tiana put out during the weekend just gone doesn’t convince me she’s in the conversation at present.
@Kerryn I think you’re onto something re Georgia Heffernan coming into consideration moving forward if she builds on her Cadbury Series and Fast5 performances.Midcourt wise it was clear during the Australian leg of the Con Cup of Crampton’s importance in the side. I wonder if she’s been given direction to work on her C game in the lead up to the December camp?? Gina is fit, so no reason IMO why she couldn’t slide and be the third C option for the team.
The defence end suggested is rock solid and barring injury there’s just no way (surely?) Fitzpatrick, Johnson or Temu get a look-in? If Jane isn’t good to go for January then Kayla gets the nod for me.
- This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by WeWood.
I’m still not discounting Poi, she had Achilles issues this year, which set her back. But her speed is returning I thought she was NZs best C at the weekend. I know people don’t think much of her but I do.
I think it will be interesting to watch in the ANZP where the midcourters play.
Would have to think Noeline will run trials pre NWC. Heck, if she picked straight off ANZP 2022 form I doubt Souness would have been selectee as the starting C..
Mystics – Don’t imagine any changes with Toeava at WA and Earle at C.
Stars – Do Crampton and MRB share C/WA to hone Gina’s C game?
Magic – Kersten starts at C, Wilbore WA and Edgecombe and Elley sharing WD.
Pulse – I imagine we’ll see a lot of Gordon at WA (where I think she’s has played best in the past) Souness at C and Ioane starting WD.
Tactix – When Malcolm was signed it was said she would be starting WA for the Tactix but I imagine we’ll see Poi spend some time there too. Sinclair to play WD.
Steel – I hope Heffernan spends the season at C and Winders remains at WD. In saying that they all may be pushed forward with Savi’inaea starting WD.I still wouldn’t count out Bailey Mes – she always seems to do the right things to be selected for a pinnacle event.
Having a full season at GS, with a fully fit Ekenasio, could work in her favour.Going based on how she was used at the CWGs, I think it’s easy to assume she won’t be in contention. Normally when no one talks about her, it’s like Boom, and she’s in the team ?♂️?
This would be my Silver Ferns lineup:
Shooters: Nweke, Ekanasio, Wilson, Selby-Ricket/Mes
Midcourt: Heffernan, Souness, Crampton, Johnson
Defence: Watson, Burger, Karaka, JuryNweke and Ekanasio are pretty explanatory, while Wilson is a solid GS and an option at GA if needed. Selby-Ricket has been good at both GA/GS but I know Mes has what it takes to take that last shooter spot too so it’ll be up to who has better form.
Heffernan is a solid WD/C and frankly, I prefer her at C as compared to Souness. Souness would be my C/WA option and Crampton as a specialist WA. I love Toeava but I think Crampton managed to find the feed to Nweke at the Bronze medal match at CWG and playing with Ekanasio would defenitely help too! I put Johnson as a midcourter because I think if she’s selected she would be mostly playing WD. I know she’s not rated and many people don’t think she’s fit enough but I think she’s proven she has what it takes to offer something different.
The defenders are also pretty settled, especially if both Watson and Burger are fully fit, which I think they will be. Karaka and Jury are also the shoo-ins for me and Johnson is also an option at GD.My starting seven would be:
GS: Nweke
GA: Ekanasio
WA: Crampton
C: Heffernan
WD: Johnson
GD: Burger
GK: WatsonIf something happened to Nweke, I’d feel more safer having Dunn as the backup GS than Wilson.
Interesting enough, I think we’d benefit from having Crampton and Toeava. However I don’t feel the same if we took both Burger and Johnson. With Heffernan there, you only need of one them.
Toeava IMO needs to be in this team.
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