-
AuthorPosts
-
She played the World Cup and SSN, when her husband had those same views. I don’t remember seeing anything dramatic happening (talking about her as a person). From all reports, she had great relationships with her teammates and coaches.
I think what it really showed, is that you can have your beliefs, and still be a good person and treat people with kindness.
Of course you can have your beliefs but when you husband actively and very publicly makes comments that are extremely damaging and hurtful that is another thing entirely. This stuff came out right at the end of her SSN career.
He was playing rugby in Japan last I heard and she was staying here with her sick relative.
I do remember when she was playing at thirds that she was great when around her team mates and playing but when she went back to Sydney (when not playing or practice) she was extremely distanced from them all.
I think it’ll be a bad move for fbirds to get her back in especially if she hasn’t played any netball since retiring and also after having a baby and also remember that when she retired she was happy not to have to go through all the things that they have to do as an athlete. And after watching wallam play she has great potential of given proper court time. Her game style reminds me a lot of jo Morgan from back in the day. Tall girl that’s solid on the hold and also throws up some mid rangers.His comments in 2018 about gay people etc, came during the I’ll fated Commonwealth Games. A already fractured team, was completely broken at the end. If people think Maria being associated with his vile rubbish, didn’t have anything to do with the on court dramas of the ferns, then they are in laa Laa land.
Yes Nate! A Jo Morgan that can take the knocks and keep her head :yes:
Totally agree, we need to be promoting new and exciting players, Maria has had her time
Gosh I hope Folau doesn’t come to Firebirds. Retire gracefully! Wallam is dynamite and even with one extra month of training she will be an absolute weapon for them.
I think (and have no evidence for this, pure speculation) that Firebirds would embrace Wallam, but Folau would create division and not genuine inclusion as a team – not just because of the husband, but because they know she is a retired Kiwi only there for one season and probably not going to take it seriously enough. Meanwhile, Wallam desperately wants a contract, is Aussie, is much younger, and (as Megan Anderson said) is a lovely humble person who is super keen to learn and grow.
The quarters where Wallam didn’t fire were because the midcourt aren’t used to a totally circle-bound shooter. Aiken/George does at least know when the ball isn’t coming through when to change to a front hold or put on a short lead to circle edge. But Wallam can learn this in a month for sure. Oh yes and the quarters when Mi Mi were on and she had way too many turnovers and offensive penalties, just like she had all last year and was still offered a contract. That’s a real head-scratcher for me.
Sadly, I think it’s looking inevitable. I hope I’m wrong.
If this does happen, I hope Wallam can find a training partner spot elsewhere.
If Folau can’t find fitness and form, Firebirds could be on the bottom, and on the bottom without any fan support. How sad.
In addition to the obvious player treatment, culture and inclusivity issues this raises this appears to be a very short sighted view by the FBs.
Isn’t Folau older than Aiken? Wallam is the future. Yes I understand they have Stower and Bakewell-Doran as rookies this year so they are investing in the future to a certain extent but recruiting Folau flys in the face of that. They have Bueta to play the experienced role with Rav in the midcourt. Look at how the Thunderbirds are flying after investing in their youth.
I really hope Wallam wasn’t encouraged to leave her home, family, friends, supportive coach in Ryan and potentially her employment on the insinuation of more.
If squads increase to 12 on game day I hope Wallam can find an out and rely on her temporary contract expiring to rejoin Fever. They only have 4 TPs and each club can have up to 6.
I actually do not fall in the group that believe Wallam is a Diamond in waiting. I think Wallam has a lot of work to do and is older than Garbin, Koenen and Samason but I cannot understand why FBs would do any of this for countless reasons.
FBs had many issues on the weekend but IMO the goal circle was not the biggest. Actually I was surprised by how well they did in that regard with all things considered. Jenner’s penalty count or actually the whole team’s defensive ill discipline. Stupid blatant obstruction in the midcourt because they weren’t bothered to retreat 3 ft. Compare their penalty count to say the Vixens, it was laughable. You can’t win the ball standing out of play. They were unable to to build defensive pressure due to it. The inability to move the ball through court cleanly and basic errors by experienced players. Focus on that. Wallam had nothing to do with the FBs poor performance.
Agree Tully. Having Wallam probably saved them some heavier losses.
I wouldn’t say Wallam is a Diamond in waiting, but I would say she is a potential Diamond, and has more to contribute to Netball in this country than Folau – even from a fans perspective.
I rate Garbin before Koenan, I don’t think she will be the one cut from the current 15 down to 12. Samason definitely throws a spanner in those works too!!
Folau 35, Aiken 33, Wallam 28
This Coaches Corner made it clear to me that Anderson does not want to pick Wallam, and wants someone with SSN experience. Also very defensive tone to it, a bit of ‘dont question my decisions’, which makes me think they are going to go for Folau and are getting in front of the bad press. Sigh. I really liked some aspects of what Anderson bought to the table last year but her list management has been poor. We lost 2 of our 3 circle defenders, clearly had someone in mind for GK and missed out on them which made us look ridiculous, got done for violations during recruitment period, and then let one of the best young GAs in SSN leave before also immediately realising we need a replacement shooter. On top of that, we are going for a replacement who is semi retired and highly controversial instead of an obvious young gun pick.
https://firebirds.net.au/news/coaches-corner-replacing-romelda-and-look-clubs-emerging-talent
Oh no… this makes it seem very likely that Wallam won’t be given the contract. Hoenstly Megan’s comments regarding SSN experience don’t make sense to me. Sure it would be favourable to have that under the belt but the fact that Folau has been out for so long kinda just cancels that out (pros/cons balance out between the two players).
Let me throw out something wild. A Bassett return. Seems to fit Megan’s Mould, maybe they’ll target her?
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
