[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353992

Burger is cautioned again for persistent contact, although she was already on a caution.

It’s 53-49 to Aus and they have possession. You’d think one more goal is probably enough, and the Diamonds are slowing things down deliberately but not too much.

And then Burger is 60 seconds later given the warning for persistent contacts. She actually should be sent off now.

To end the game we get a fabulous intercept from Brazill, and straight through to a goal from Koenen – Australia win 56-50!

I would probably pick Wood for MVP but it could be Watson or Koenen.

A game of two halves, so clinical in the first half with minimal turnovers and gains, and in the second half everything fired up and we got lots of possession changes, physicality, and weird calls from umpires. A classic!

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Andrew Kennedy.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353991

So just as I said it, Jury replaces Watson and Souness replaces Heffernan, FINALLY.

AMAZING. The umpires conferred about whether a goal was scored or not. What we can see on the replay is that Bruce had her hands around Nweke’s head, Nweke moved back and pushed her, they both fell over, meanwhile Ekenasio sunk a goal and the umpires didn’t know, so they had a TOSS UP!!

That play will go down in legend.

Phew. So it’s now 52-45 to Australia with 5 mins to go. That situation was so farcical that it probably won’t affect anyone except the umpires.

Now all the players are taking a lot of liberties and pushing each other, they know that Kemp has lost control and they just need to do anything they can to get the ball.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353990

You can also see that Aus are tiring. Liz Watson’s dodges aren’t the same, and then we had possibly the first errant feed to Koenen. The lead is only 4 to Diamonds, and that’s really quite gettable. As I mentioned earlier, you can see Ekenasio with a bit of a spark. You can also see Nweke reinvigorated.

Yes Ekenasio is being given a lot of space, taking over the front and sinking her shots, much more than any other time in this particular match. Klau and Bruce are stuck on Nweke. We also see double-teaming of Koenen, and Wood missed a shot. It’s starting to get messy, coming down to fitness and absorbing pressure. 47-44 after 5 mins.

It’s starting to get too late to bring in a new NZ defender. Karaka and Watson I think would wish to be replaced at this point, as they’re off the pace – but it’s the same for a lot of players on both sides, except that Diamonds are the ones ahead and with momentum. 50-44 to Aus.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353989

Q3 was pretty disastrous for NZ, makes me wonder why Taurua would let that keep going. The whole team was flat, and statistically it was probably Heffernan that needed to be benched the most. The defenders were getting lazy and attracting a lot of whistle, you could really have put on Jury, Souness and Selby-Rickit at any time, if only to give the starting players a rest.

Diamonds beat Ferns 14-9 in Q3, so it’s 44-40 now with Aus ahead. Should be fascinating to see the coaching changes and tactics.

We see now NO CHANGES from either team.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353987

Ian is exactly right. It’s 10-3 to Aus in this Q, and it’s all due to errors from NZ. Clearly they need some fresh legs. And now Burger cautioned for persistent contacts.

You can even see that Nweke can’t just so strongly and confidently now. And Ekenasio missed a completely simple penalty with both Aussies out. That’s a big concern for NZ as Aus apply the same pressure. 40-37 to Aus.

Not really sure why Jane Watson’s contacts are not called as persistent as she crashes into stationary players and then says sorry whoops. At least Anzo Kemp kind of cautions Karaka, but she totally misses the intimidation of foot stamping by Watson.

So now it seems that the teams are firing up and ready to smash each other!

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353984

No changes from either team to start Q3. I’m a bit annoyed at the commentators saying “They have to stop Nweke” and that Klau and Bruce need to adjust, when it’s blindingly clear that CRAMPTON is the one to stop. At least Madi Browne said she would change Braz and use Price instead. But obviously Marinkovich thinks she can coach and adapt Ash Brazill’s game plan.

Note that Marinkovich was interviewed and said “we have rotations to go to, but we’ll see what happens”. She wants the players to work things out for themselves. And quickly Aus scores 3-0 so it’s 33-31.

Koenen continues to be a marvellous foil for Wood’s creativity. They both know where to move and where to pass, with just a momentary change of body position, which simply can’t be seen by the Kiwi defenders.

A couple of good wins for Aus, forcing errors by NZ – Nweke steps over the baseline, and a centre pass that was untouched. It’s now 38-34 to Australia after 5 mins in this quarter. And then Bruce causes a fumble from Ekenasio – seems like Aus are finding it so easy in this championship quarter.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Andrew Kennedy.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353982

Was just about to praise Koenen for how available she is – driving out to take quite difficult balls, finding tiny spaces under the post etc, really accurate (19/19).

Then Jane Watson challenged Koenen from behind and took the legs out from under, so Gary Burgess immediately gave Watson a warning for dangerous play. I think a lot of people remember when Manu’a was warned for a similar thing against Koenen – Cara has a very different way of hanging in the air which most defenders do not adjust to.

Aus won that Q 15-12, so it’s now 31-30 to NZ.

Impressive half-time stats.

*** Aus have 59% of possession *** – very unusual to see a big gap here, given the close score. Just shows the defence of NZ makes the Aussies be patient, but the defence of Aussies really isn’t working (key – Crampton playing so damn well).

Hadley and Watson – no turnovers.
Ekenasio, Crampton, Heffernen – no turnovers!
Nweke- 4 turnovers is highest

Aussies shooting 97% and NZ 94%
Bruce has 9 penalties but this isn’t a standout.

Feeding – Crampton has 19 assists from 19 feeds, which means EVERY time she passes into the circle, a goal is scored.

Summary – Crampton and Wood need to be shut down; but then Ekenasio or Watson would step up.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Andrew Kennedy.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353980

Aus have drawn the lead in very slowly, and it’s mostly I think that NZ aren’t playing with the confidence and fluency they had at the start. Are they tired? Are they overthinking things?

Aus are quite successful in pushing the NZ passes back, Aus getting hands over, and waiting for a tired or frustrated pass to go for. They’re chipping away at the Kiwis. All the Diamonds are dead set on getting in front, especially through the midcourt and attacking third.

Kiwis need a spark of some kind, you can start to see Ekenasio pushing them on. 28-25 to NZ.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353979

No changes made by either team for Q2. What’s impressive for Aus is their fast hands and feet, which are even quicker than normal, usually but not always set up by Wood. Their ball placement around the circle to feeders is the perfect balance of within reach and not able to be deflected, it’s very sharp. Also Koenen’s moves are very well judged in terms of timing and sneaking through space.

Still 23-21 to NZ.

Notable how many times a player is forced over the baseline resulting in a penalty – mostly shooters landing slightly out of court. Both sets of defenders are restricting the opponents’ space.

Wow, Wood is putting on a show! Such great space and timing. Kiwis are using their plan A well with safe athletic takes by Nweke. Still very hard to get any gains at all. 24-all with 7 until half time.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353974

Both sides are getting possession to the circle so smoothly now. The only difference was one stepping call against Wood. Also maybe the calls of umpire Burgess, one of which was completely wrong and gave a throw-in to NZ instead of Australia. Oh yes! And a great deflection by Heffernan. Otherwise most goals are just flowing with the centre passes.

Still seeing great work from Crampton. Ekenasio is filling in the gaps but not especially needed. Crampton just gets it through with her quick release, even when Nweke is double-defended.

Meanwhile, excellent work from Wood overall, with perfect shooting. Long shots, opening for herself, rotating and feeding Koenen.

NZ ahead 19-15 at quarter time, reminds me of their game a few days ago which was relatively high scoring (total of 116 goals). Most Transtasman goals are defensively dominated so to score about 55 is uncommon.

Commentators are suggesting a change for Aus, and that has to be Braz off and Price on. Or Aryang on? Crampton simple scintillating.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Andrew Kennedy.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353973

Aus v NZ now. NZ getting path to goal pretty easily, Aus needing to use patience and resetting to Bruce at GD. A big feature is NZ’s top notch defence of the centre pass, but you can see in contrast that Aus do have several tactics to overcome it. For the moment, Wood setting up Koenen is the best play for Aus, and Diamonds are starting to make the Kiwi defenders’ heads spin.

Quite impressed with Crampton’s drives, finding all kinds of spaces (sometimes very tiny, sometimes very wide), and turning to deliver quickly, great stuff from her.

7-6 to NZ after 6 mins.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353970

I would give Mentor MVP, even though she’s benched for the last 4 mins, she did the best overall to unsettle her opposition, and also, NO OTHER ENGLISH PLAYER stayed on court the whole game! Too many changes.

Taking Cardwell off and on did work well though. She dominated that last quarter.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Andrew Kennedy.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353968

Not impressed with the English (??) umpire, making all kinds of mistakes eg Guscoth contacts and then runs METRES away and gets called for another contact when should be out of play (!), extremely long 3 seconds on Potgieter, blatant clobbering over the shoulders of Mentor on Potgieter.

Thank goodness Thirlby actually has her best lineup back on – Cardwell, Housby, Metcalf, Clarke, Guscoth, Fadoju, Mentor. And we can immediately see the difference – the English shooters have confidence, the SAs don’t, they’re not going to the post and not desperate for the ball.

Very quickly England are 4-0 ahead in this quarter. Not sure why Cardwell thinks she needs to signal to the space all the time, it’s blindingly obvious when it’s on, and she’s actually wrong quite often, the feeders can see it much better than she can feel it. Cardwell also moves off the hold too early and gives the defender a chance.

Wow the SA players are frustrating, they’re just making so many mistakes, and not playing with confidence.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Andrew Kennedy.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353966

Nice work this quarter from Potgieter in general, as she seems to actually be dictating play against Mentor, decides when to really move, and then to solidly hold. She’s 24/24 for the match (NB Housby 13/13).

With 15 seconds to go SA score, England have a chance to get it, but of course Tchine does a fairly weak drive out of the circle middle channel, and Pretorius intercepts it! She’s just amazing. So nobody scores and it’s 36-34 to England with 15 mins to go.

[Andrew Kennedy]

in reply to: 2023 QUAD SERIES (Jan) – SA/Aus/NZ/Eng #1353963

Honestly, both teams are getting so much possession, and utterly failing to convert it. Defensive pressure is causing them to clutter together, to miss shots and not rebound, to pass really dumb feeds. Tchine especially is spooked from taking shots she really can make because of the reach of Maweni. Her accuracy is dropping, she’s a liability out there, and the really should have Cardwell on.

Instead we see Mngumezul at GA for SA, and you can straight away see her sprinting (too much) to the goal circle (good idea). She’s driving well and drawing the attention of defenders, and taking on the body well (for the first 2 mins!).

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Andrew Kennedy.

[Author]

Posts