2021 VNSL ROUND 20

FULLTIME

Mavs 48 Storm 35

Jo Trips last game before she goes off to explore a life outside of netball, according to the commentary team. Very emotional game with Trip and Bailey both in tears at the end.

Mav started slow but unlike last week they were able to pull it back.

Gail Davies interviewed Jo who said she wasn’t stepping away fully and would pop up somewhere…(ANZP as cover me wonders )

POTM ECUYER-DALE

Thunder were exceptional today. Their intensity in defence was absolutely incredible – Malcolm took the WA completely out of the game (especially Beth Dix) and they were able to generate so much ball.

POTM could have easily also gone to Amy Carter who also had one of her games of the season IMO.

I don’t think it’s a case of something going radically wrong, BH, but I think they are pretty one dimensional and coaches are doing their homework on them. Lightning and Thunder can put on different line ups that play a different style – Bath don’t really have those options.

Looks like Wallam is going to be out for Rhinos for finals, she just posted on her Instagram stories that Sydney is going to be her home for the next fortnight. A real shame given she has only missed finals weekend by a few days, but good to see Rhinos fully supporting her during this difficult emotional time with her nan’s passing. Assuming everything works out with Madi Browne coming over next year and Wallam keeps to her 2 year contract (wouldn’t be surprised if one of the SSN teams tried to poach her in the free contracting period), I expect we’ll see Rhinos back in the top 4 again next season anyway.

Big ask for Rushton to come back into starting 7 after several weeks benchwarming/Rhinos not being able to play, particularly with Lightning’s current momentum. But as many players have said Finals mentality is a whole different ballpark!