2024/25 Silver Ferns Squad

SILVER FERNS
Taini Jamison Trophy
29 September – 6 October

Karin Burger
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Maddy Gordon
Kate Heffernan
Kelly Jackson
Phoenix Karaka
Parris Mason
Grace Nweke
Claire O’Brien
Kimiora Poi
Whitney Souness
Amelia Walmsley
Maia Wilson

FAST5 FERNS
FAST5 Netball World Series
9-10 November in Christchurch

Kate Burley
Tayla Earle
Georgie Edgecombe
Catherine Hall
Paris Lokotui
Erena Mikaere
Martina Salmon
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson
Saviour Tui
Maia Wilson

I suspect Stythe missed out on fitness, but agree the total omissions of Takarangi and G Heffernan are odd.

The Stuff news article said something about 2 spots still being open for the SF squad though – any ideas what the plan/intention is?

The lack of backup GA is most concerning to me. Would also rather see another tall (Mikaere) as backup GK too, though I guess it’s Karaka?

Maybe Maia blew them away at GA during trials?

If G Heffernan brought her Steel for to the trials, then she was never going to make the grade.
I guess Maia is the back up GA, will have to play some minutes of all games IMO.

TBH I think they’d get more out of Georgia H, even on an off day, compared to Maia, Amelia, or Grace at GA… But happy to be proven wrong on that!

I may be biased as a Steel supporter, but honestly thought Georgia H was one of the few bright spots for the team during a difficult season, without a tall, international standard GS or experienced WA for support. Sure, she could have done more, and has areas to work on – but she more than carried her own bags in a losing team, and IMO showed – at least in patches – her enormous potential.

Aside from Ekenasio, there really isn’t a standout available GA in NZ. Georgia was about the only back-up GA option who played pretty much every minute of every game, didn’t get injured, shot volume and from distance, AND who has speed to burn.

Surely there’s more to it; Apparently there are still two spots open in the SF squad, and I can only presume at least one of them is for a GA – i.e. Tiana or Georgia H, pending fitness/meeting some other goal…

Hmmmm!!! Paul2020 I must have been looking at a different G Heffernan.

Also if the Zone defence is deployed, the GA needs to be part of it, and is no use at all if standing in the circle hands on hips, looking down at the ground or the umpire.

Not sure what happened towards the end of the season re Malesala. She was injured for the first half? of the season (played game round 2) then that was it for ages with an ankle issue. When she returned she was on managed minutes, then played a full game and after that game Falkner was contracted for rest of season – I am assuming Malesala was back on managed time. So probably hard to judge where she was at for selectors.

All I want is GA and GS who follow through on their shots. Way too much standing and watching instead of committing for their own rebounds.