2024/25 Silver Ferns Squad

Since Ekenasio will undoubtedly play majority of minutes at GA, why would the fitness of the other GA’s matter if they will be used as an impact role? Same concept for Toeava. I think these standards shoot the ferns in the foot more than help them. Would’ve been beneficial for Salmon to learn off of Ekenasio while’s she’s still around.

Winders has said that the ferns are probably fitter than the aussies but it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the skills to go with it.

I don’t know about Winders comments, name one player you think is not fit in the Diamonds set up? Could argue Donnell Wallam, but who else? All their midcourters can run a full C game. All their shooters can play a full game at GA, if needed. All their defenders could play a full game at GD, if needed.

If young players like Salmon and Tui can not hit the fitness standards, but a veteran like Wilson can (who failed the last time, but went and did the work). Why should those young ones be rewarded?
Even if the game plan is to only use the back up GA for a quarter. You still got to earn your right to be in the team.

GT should’ve been in the development squad and Fast 5 squad. Don’t know who you would swap out to put her in the main squad

GH shot at 76% this season. Her workload isn’t going to lessen against England or Australia, it will only get tougher. So her shooting would only get worse. The silver ferns isn’t the space for “development”. We need players ready to go on court and make a difference.

The Post news article said:

‘Peta Toeava, Carys Stythe, and young shooters Saviour Tui and Martina Salmon did not meet the criteria.’

‘Goal attacks Metuarau and Georgia Heffernan both met the fitness criteria, but were squeezed out in the shooting end.’

So I’m assuming Metuaraus’ omission was due to her lack of shooting, which is good to see Noeline take a stance on.

Okay! Fitness standards not being met, yep I get that. Not met, can’t be eligible for selection – fair call.

This is the part where DNTs selections come under scrutiny for me. And quite frankly, she shoots herself in the foot (so to speak). You have two genuine GA options, who actually play that position. Yet you think a natural GS, would be better suited as the backup GA? 🤦‍♂️
I get Metaurua’s volume has to go up, and G Heffernan has work to do. But pair them up with a dominant Nweke (or Walmsley), I’d be just as interested in their play-making skills and the speed they can bring. We all know Metaurua is the queen at that, and Heffernan has speed to burn.

I haven’t seen much (if any) of Heffernans games this year. But I trust the comments about her, as it has come from more than one person on here. However when she last played for the Ferns, I thought she did quite well. Still has lots of work to do, but I thought it was worth building on. I hope a season with Dunn will help lift her game.

I don’t want to take anything away from Wilson, but I would have taken Metaurua over her.

Completely agree with TB – surely picking specialist GA shooters would be better than trying to convert Maia into a GA.

Discussions were had with the ‘older’ players regarding playing through to 2027 WC and from what I gather, they committed to continuing. My assumption is that everyone (no matter of age) in the latest squad made that commitment.