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Wow.
I’m just gonna have to trust that Noels knows what she’s doing because on paper? I can’t really see them medalling.
Yep… no Ekenasio is no surprise but no Temu or Gordon (who would be perfect for tournaments) is strange. Who will be C?
I’m guessing Saunders at C. I’m surprised by Gordon’s omission, she can play all 3 positions but hey ho
The players who didn’t get selected would probs make a stronger side than those who did!!
Defence no surprise; experience and perhaps existing combos. Not too dissimilar to Quad series.
Shooters; again experience and versatile. Nweke slight surprise but she does offer something different.
Midcourt; Crampton and Saunders as most people predicted. Souness and Heffernan are fast, fit and let the ball go.
Bring on the Cadbury series where we get to see the team in action.
Such an interesting team. I think it’s a testament to NZ’s (improved) development pathways that so many top quality players have missed out.
A few thoughts from me:
Shooters: GA is a weak point for us. Who takes the spot?
TPSR – she’s been solid but certainly not spectacular in the black dress during her career.
Mes – has had a great season for the Magic and her strength under the post is unquestionable – unsure how she will go running GA under a strong 1:1 Australian defence.
Wilson – It’s clear NNZ/Taurua eye her as a future GA, but she’s so unproven in the position weeks out from a pinnacle event.
Midcourt:
Crampton and Saunders are obvious for me. Both played critical roles in last year’s WC and have been proven performers for Taurua in the SF and Steel. But both are strongest at WA. Does this mean Heffernan is the walk-up C? No doubt, I’m excited to see her there – she’s the most well rounded C in NZ for mine and a proven ballwinner on defence, but lacks big match international experience. Was it perhaps an error that management didn’t blood her during the recent Quad/CC series?
Souness had a strong season, but again is a WA-specialist, making us very attack heavy. A bit strange for me that 3/4 of our micourters are WA-preferred. I personally would’ve gone for another utility – Gordon or Poi. Kersten in the reserves is such a ‘meh’ for me.
Defence:
Jury, Karaka and Fitzpatrick as predicted – I like it. As for the 4th spot – surprised it’s Johnston. I don’t feel she had a cracking ANZP (you could argue Stars were at their strongest with Kayla on the bench). I really thought we would’ve seen the likes of Temu or Burley in that final spot – the sort of a impact player / ball winner you might need. Manu’a was solid this season, but despite her strong combination with Jury, I suspect is better suited to the 1:1 and Taurua/Fuller will be looking to the zone.Johnston will be there as a WD/GD slide given the majority of the midcourt named are WA. I wonder if Gordon’s knee is not up to prolonged day in day out play as when she first returned there was no strapping and by the end there was a lot. Does anyone know? Also how many Pulse didnt make the trials due to sickness because very few made their end of year function as they were ill.
Still saying NZA aka the players not selected and if they can use the travelling reserves would give the SF a run for their money and they have something to prove.
Anyone know who couldn’t trial? As in some Pulse players maybe Dunn,Gordon and Manu’a?
Johnson I see used as a direct swap of Burger, that WD/GD slider and not for full games.
Tbh it’s a team that can be swapped up and provide a different play style especially the front end.
Maybe they learnt Magic’s lesson but went extreme and chose 3 wa’s 😆
I love the potential switch ups during a game. The entire flow looks like it can change with the players they have.
I’m sad not to see Gordan, Poi and Kristiana even make reserves. But equally shocked not to see Metuarau not make the team. I see Noels is going with experience with the lack of experience out already.
I have faith we will medal, just not sure which colour. Love our defence end. I think this is the best we could possibly choose.
But fitness, fitness and fitness is the key to cracking the Silverferns. It’s comforting to know all these girls made the standard. Keeping the faith.
Posted this on the other thread as well – see if you can find the article to read yourselves.
There is a stuff article – I can’t post the link’ on the trials and selections women-in-sport/300622772/grace-nweke-gets-commonwealth-games-fitness-deadline Talks about the Pulse and how illness and not trialling didn’t really come into the selections, also about Nweke and Ekenasio and naming the two players who do actually get to travel as reserves
@maryann was an interesting read, thank you.
Noels saying Pulses defence style isnt what the Ferns want in being able to play zone defence, big hint at Gordon and Manu’a play style and also maybe Winders who is a heavy marker?
Good to hear that trials wasnt just the only form they went on. Still leaves a question on Dunn if she made the trials at all? Or just didnt trial well with other players?
Two specialist WA is still worrying for me, yes Saunders can slid over to c and also wd a bit with Heffernan. Quad series will be interesting to see what happens and what gels.
Also if nweke isnt fit, neither with eke so that being read Tiana is the next one in.
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