[NB12]

in reply to: 2021 SSN ROUND 1 #1322896

Also, if Dwyer continues to impress with solid court time, she could find her way into the Diamonds squad.

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in reply to: 2021 SSN ROUND 1 #1322895

Provided she is fit, they have a very talented and star of the future in one of their training partners to promote. Matisse Leatherbarrow would slot in nicely. I heard she was injured earlier in the year though and not sure how serious it was.

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in reply to: NSW SWIFTS 2021 #1322040

The former Sydney Swifts were yellow and blue – that’s the inspiration!

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in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1320574

SM is still feeling things out I think, including her own approach to the team dynamic and how she reacts on the sideline. It actually reminds me a lot of when Lisa took over the Diamonds and for the first series we had no idea what her plan was and it appeared she was going to play a couple of favourites in place of who we thought were certain starters. Chatfield springs to mind (I’m pretty sure in Lisa’s first test V NZ, she started with Chatfield at GK and Geitz at GD and then because it wasn’t working, Geitz was benched :scratch: ).

But slowly Lisa came into her own and showed a lot more energy, and you could start to see the game plan come together. I’d like to give Stacey a bit longer to prove herself before I start comparing her to Janine Southby or saying others may have done a better job.

The line up wouldn’t have been much different with Simone coaching. She surely would have backed Watson and Moloney in. And there has been a lot of calls that Jo Weston should have played more at GD, but can we just take a second to consider that Weston in GD has not got us over the line in the two big matches in recent history and the players she was against have been influential in those games. Particularly Ekenasio.

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in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1320216

I think she is cementing and rewarding. Rotating doesn’t mean picking someone new each game, it just means they can elect to do that.

I think it’s really important for this team to tested against a full strength Ferns, and with Eke back (I think), this is the best opportunity to do that.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by NB12.

[NB12]

in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1320075

I feel like Stacey left Koenen at GS because she is clearly stamping her authority there as for next in line. I’m glad she did that.

I feel for Garbin, the shot just wasn’t on. I do think she was available a lot of the time though and needed the ball to be let go. The feeders didn’t seem to trust how strong she is on the take. I hope she gets another opportunity with Proud and Hadley, but in saying that, the shots need to go in.

Austin seemed to get tired and so did her shot. That’s definitely her biggest work on.

Back 3 played so well but I hold my breath every time Weston has the ball.

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in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1320048

Looking forward to seeing Bowring’s interpretation of Wilson’s push offs.

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in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1320013

I think with Eke out, we will see the Diamonds defensive circle revert back to Bruce and Weston.

Bassett
Koenan
Watson
Charles
Price
Weston
Bruce

Is my prediction.

In saying that, I felt it was Bruce that struggled against Wilson as much as Weston wasn’t in the game against Eke. It would be good to see the Klau/Bruce combo build.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by NB12.

[NB12]

in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1319993

@TB – I think that is a good call and it would be good to see them start with Bassett and Koenan tonight. And I’d really like to see Garbin at Gs at some point too. I feel like the Diamonds really need someone to take the ball strongly and of the 4 shooters, that’s Garbin.

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in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1319988

No worries. IMO, She was benched because her standard of play was lacking for a 100 test veteran. At least 3 times she was within 1m of the post and passed out for better position, twice she lost the ball. Charles was trying to use ball speed to get the ball to Bassett and she was never where she should be or would come off the hold. And the 2 shots Bassett did miss, were absolute sitters, one she did not rebound. I’ll pay the fact that I’m the first half she didn’t have a great C feeding her, but Charles and Watson really changed up the flow when they came on and Bassett still couldn’t command the ball or find space.

I’ve always been a supporter of Bassett, but it’s become very clear in the past 5 years that it was her combination with Medhurst that “propped” up her game. Medhurst managed to create so much space for Bassett and she was so deceptive that any opposition GD knew they couldn’t always leave her alone to double team Bassett.

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure Australia shot 100% in the final quarter.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by NB12.

[NB12]

in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1319983

Have to say, I thought it was a decent coaching effort from Stacey. She remained pretty calm even when it was looking to blow out and didn’t just throw people on for the sake of it. Hoping to have a bit more of an idea of the style of play and game plan she is adopting as the series goes on and the players shake off the cobwebs.

[NB12]

in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1319981

Austin shot 18/24 – 75%. Not a bad effort on debut and a full game against NZ. Good thing was it improved as the game went on. Austin is not a high % shooter so that is a huge work on for her.

[NB12]

in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1319966

Austin doesn’t seem to be very drilled but every now and then she shows some real flare. She seemed to open up a bit more with Charles and Koenan. In the future, Austin at GS and Bueta at GA could work. I’m interested to see how Garbin would go at GS as well. She is very strong and commands the ball…

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in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1319961

Jono wasn’t umpiring though :unsure:

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in reply to: 2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March) #1319926

All 3 debutants were great. Would have preferred to see Charles at C, play Charles and her in their preferred positions.

Aussies will take a lot away from that, although not much time between tests. One of the biggest factors was the style of umpiring – they have the chance for a quick review and adjustment now.

That wasn’t a captains game from Bassett, what’s with the passing out when she is so close to the post. Stacey gave her the opportunity to prove herself and she didn’t.

A steady performance from Nz.

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