Here is my very very unoffical blogging of this game. Summary – Tactix lost it, and so Pulse didn’t have to win it. Tactix threw away so much ball it was a bit silly really.
ANZP grand final Tactix Pulse
Nerves from TPSR – could have shot, passed off, intercepted by Jury
Players of both teams don’t pass, drive, and back up – they clear and don’t look back – in the middle third. They do try to pass and cut if WD/GD, or in the goal third.
WA Pulse Gordon got an intercept off the centre pass (she got about 3 for the match), too hesitant from Poi. She’s very fast, and intent on defence. But then Poi (C) got an incredible intercept (also got about 3 for the game) from a forced pass of Ekenasio when Gordon was double-teamed.
Pulse leapt out 4-0 before TPSR got a goal. After 10 mins Pulse lead 6-4. There was amazing defensive intensity, but the attackers were stepping on and making too many off-balance passes – both teams.
Just giving the ball to an easy option that was often closely covered by defender, and not baulking enough, there needs to be more variety from both teams in terms of preliminary movement, pass selection, and baulks.
Even though Tactix were only 1-2 goals behind for much of the Q, Pulse out 12-6 at quarter time. Pulse 12/13 and Tactix 6/7. Tactix lowest Q1 score for the whole season.
More careless centre passes saw the score 15-6 within 2 minutes. Luckily Watson got a rebound and Bird scored. But it was simply too easy for Pulse, as Tactix passed long cross-court balls that Jury could read a mile off.
Simply too easy for Pulse to feed, especially as the Tactix defenders were chasing the front player too much.
Half time 23-13 to Pulse.
Tactix definitely weren’t going to lie down – Watson had excellent drive through to assist attack, and Poi got her third intercept. Bird (GS) was lucky to fend off Jury, as her move to the feed was simply too slow. It was 5-4 for the quarter to Tactix after six mins (remember 12 minute quarters).
Tactix defence was quite body-heavy, but not penalised by the (Australian) umpire (Bowring). It delayed the feed but didn’t get much clean possession. Some patient play from the Tactix attackers, combined with two intercepts from Elley (WD) helped the Cantabrians move closer, but a ridiculous loose pass from Watson to Poi in the pocket stopped the momentum. Pulse leading 31-24 at 3/4 time.
Tactix simply made too many poor passes, either creating a silly turnover or a gifted intercept. Both teams were guilty of singular leads and passing to a player under too much defensive pressure, hence a lot of intercepts by midcourters. Very good shooting accuracy from both teams, all shooters.
Very few changes in the match, only that Gordon went off from WA replaced by Metuarau for just the third quarter.
Pulse were better at transition into attack the whole night (better when Gordon was on), and had a merely adequate performance for the win, 43-31. In a 48 minute game you definitely can’t win with 31 goals.
she needs to pick a position and stick with in. She’s not strong enough to make the Ferns as a WA and her game, this season, as GA is not good enough either
