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Considering what had gone before, it was really surprising that Firebirds were able to come from behind in the power play and nearly snatch the victory. They probably should have. Gutsy effort from them. Both sides will be thinking of missed chances towards the end. A draw it is.
What a nailbiter! Jenner was literally in everything; and the energy and control from Mimi was superb. This game will be a real growing game for Dwan too.
Giants were so hesitant to let the ball go and it backfired in the end. JLP is having a very average season thus far. Giants attack end are packed with superstars but they’re just not able to work together.Unlucky for the firebirds
Firebirds 61-Giants 61
Aiken 49/57 (86%)
Dwan 7/10 (70%)
Venter 2/4 (50%)Bassett 25/29 (86%)
Austin 13/15 (87%)
Harten 11/18 (61%)
Letherbarrow 3/4 (75%)Super shots: Harten 5/11, Austin 4/6, Dwan 3/5
Assists: Cassidy 20
Gains: Poolman, Jenner 6MVP: Jenner
Messy end. Firebirds should have scored.
Loving Jenner. Will be the next big GD for Australia.
Bassett on the bench a lot this year. How long is her contract for at Giants?Isn’t the same player since leaving Lightning. The stupid rule change doesn’t help either.
Austin is a GS GA, not a WA going forward. Simple as that
The rule change certainly doesn’t help, but it feels like Bassett has been becoming less dominant for a while. Ever since that match against NZL in Invercargill where Jury was all over her and she was benched, she has become less consistent and less of a target. The best I have seen the Giants attack end flow was at last year’s pre-season competition with Harten/Austin/Green. Austin was having quite an average game until she moved back to GA and everything started to open up. Bassett signed a three-year contract but if Hay keeps improving her WA game (and Austin doesn’t) I’m not sure if she’ll really see much court time. Unless Harten leaves after this year of course.
Hopefully Jenner can keep this up. She has played well for parts of seasons in the past but has always started to give away too many penalties and lose her edge a bit. If she keeps playing like this surely she’ll make the Diamonds 12, they need a ball-winning GD. Mi Mi is another player who was excellent, she’s become so much safer with the balls over the years.
Mannix Weston Jenner Klau are my top 4 defenders currently for Aus. Eddy almost over Weston
As mentioned, Giants have so much talent in their attacking end. The problem is, from GA-C they are all playing out of position (or their 2nd preferred position).
Harten a better (specialist) GS than GA.
Austin a better GA than WA.
JLP a better WD than C.With their lineup, they should be producing better results. Is it time for Julie F to step down?
I don’t understand why they don’t use Hay, Austin and Harten as a combo more often. Yes, CBass is the diamonds captain, but I really don’t think she has been playing well this season and you can be a great captain without always being on court for a full 60. I’d also be interested to see COB take the court, even at C to see what she can do. Don’t think JLP has had a great season and it’s too much to keep playing her at C for whole matches. The Giants have a great squad but it seems like there are either a lot of egos that nobody wants to upset by switching things up a little more, or they don’t trust the depth of the squad.
JLP has always been a better WD than C. She has moments of brilliance at C, but if she is not getting her way, she reverts back to thug tactics.
Parmenter is the better player so if JLP cannot step up her game at C, maybe it is time for Hay or OBrian to play C.
Julie F has her favourites like all coaches, and it’s definitely Harten and Price.Very interesting Tactics bringing 2 young NSW shooters into the hub. Might be getting ready to promote 1 of them next season.
Oh, and Austin is a gun at GA or GS. She could what the Firebirds need next year if Gretel does not return.
I would have thought Venter would be getting more game time at GS. But, Firebirds are sticking with Aiken after years of not performing. Surely they should be looking at different shooting options during this modified SSN league?
Brandly looking good for someone who just had a baby 5 months ago. Another few weeks and she will be the starting GD. Manu’a to the bench
If I were Julie F I would have them as follows
GK Poolman/Manu’a/Brandley
GD Brandley/Manu’a
WD Parmenter
C JLP
WA Obrien/Hay
GA Austin
GS Harten/Bassett
If JLP was having a shocker move Hay there, if Austin was you could bump Harten out and for Parmenter you could slide the midcourt back.Jemma Mimi really stepped up in this game didnt try to be too flashy but brought a lot of energy and confidence to that attack end(very Tippett/Bueta like). I noticed she spoke up a lot in the huddles and had plenty of advice for the younger players around her, if she can consistently bring that sort of performance she’ll be in with a chance at diamonds selection.
JLP seems to be very highly rated by coaches/former players. Fitzgerald never really takes her off, there was that controversial World Cup selection and the commentators occasionally speak about her as if she’s some automatic Diamonds selection. The Giants really need to explore Hay at C and O’Brien/Hay at WA, Austin creates so much more speed and fluidity in their shooting circle. The Giants have so many talented shooters but I think that it’s the combination across the attacking end that will really make or break their season.
Who else misses the moving circle combo of Pettitt and Harten? I know I do
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