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in reply to: 2024 CONSTELLATION CUP – AUS v NZ (October) #1380905
Glad to see Walmsley start for NZ. I don’t think NZ lose much at all with her instead of Nweke, and hope she’ll get a full game to show that.
Surprised Klau starting over Aryang for Australia.
in reply to: 2024 CONSTELLATION CUP – AUS v NZ (October) #1380829Interesting points, Nate.
IIRC Southby advocated the player-led culture, to pretty minimal effect…
Whatever it is the Ferns are doing rn – 👏 !
in reply to: 2024 CONSTELLATION CUP – AUS v NZ (October) #1380803Has NZ EVER beaten Australia NZ by 10+/15+ goals three games in a row?
Such a comprehensive series victory for the Ferns, and huge turnaround after their series loss to England.
Really hope the Ferns will give their bench a run in game 4, Amelia Walmsley in particular.
No doubt Australia will reflect, regroup and come back stronger – unsure whether they can bring players in who weren’t named in their initial roster or not?
in reply to: 2024 CONSTELLATION CUP – AUS v NZ (October) #1380454While there needs to be accountability, it doesn’t just fall on the coach – Players and Netball NZ need to front up too.
NZ no longer have a mortgage on number 2 international team – the world has caught up, and SSN involvement/lack thereof seems to be a big factor.
Hope NZ can get a couple of their own teams into SSN, or otherwise just allow players to join Australian teams and keep ferns eligibility – maybe an earlier/shorter domestic season to accommodate?
In a lot of sports the best of the best simply have to play overseas to compete at the highest level. If you have players good enough for nba or English premier league, how dumb would you be to exclude them from national honours, if they’re interested, given all the knowledge and skill they’d bring?
Traditionally NZ were competitive in netball internationally based off of our own domestic program. While we are still in the international mix, it’s just not like the old days.
Time to recognise that.
- This reply was modified 6 months, 4 weeks ago by Paul2020.
in reply to: 2024 CONSTELLATION CUP – AUS v NZ (October) #1380356I wouldn’t accuse PK of being a charming or insightful interviewee.
Unsure if its rudeness or low acuity 🤷🏽♂️
in reply to: 2024 CONSTELLATION CUP – AUS v NZ (October) #1380300The Ferns will need to lift again, but there was some promising signs , and momentum built, after the game 3 win v England.
I’m not writing them off yet 🙏
IMO the team who did the job then should start v the Diamonds, assuming Mason is fit.
I don’t think GHeff missed selection based on fitness… While she has some work-ons for her game, id still rather her than any of the other GA backup options.
Karaka has versatility to play 3 positions, and experience – but I just don’t think she is, or has ever been, a gold medal game winner. Ungracious comments she made after mystics lost to steel this year, and about England “taking the piss”, IIRC, by fielding a less experienced (but still winning!) team against the Ferns last year, don’t endear me to her either.
While Nweke has the edge, I don’t think Walmsley is far behind. If grace plays like she did in game 2 v Eng then Walmsley should get a run, 100%. She’ll be it in season 2025 – time to give get some more experience and confidence now.
in reply to: 2024 CONSTELLATION CUP – AUS v NZ (October) #1380160Interesting about Peta – could she be more than a TP?
I’d like to see Georgia Heffernan or Tiana Metuarau in the squad for Maia Wilson too – I don’t think Maia has the speed or the feed at GA , if Eke is off.
I suspect Poi might be out of the 12 for game 3, to make it 2 games each for her Souness and COB during the series.
I’d like to see Walmsley start at GS. I don’t think Grace has played well enough to own the bib – perhaps a bit complacent?
I’d start with:
Walmsley
Ekenasio
COB
Gordon
Heffernan
Burger
JacksonMaybe try Souness at C and Gordon at WD. Mason as impact at GD.
- This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by Paul2020.
Agree Souness at C is worth a look, with Gordon or COB at WA.
Gordon to WD would be another option, for added penetration on attack, if Heffernan is quiet.The centre third was SO stuck for the Ferns in game 2.
Would love to see GHeff or Tiana in there for Maia, and Toeva for Souness or Poi, and while I’m at it Takarangi in for Mason. But since we don’t, for game 3 I’d like so see a starting 7 of:
Walmsley (Nweke for impact)
Eke
Cob (maybe swap Souness)
Souness (maybe swap Gordon)
Heffernan (Gordon for impact)
Burger (Mason as impact)
Jury (Mikaere as impact)Time to throw the dice. I don’t mind them taking a chance and losing, but repeating the same mistakes and losing would be a wasted opportunity to test players at top level.
Quashie was on the England team sheet tonight, so understand she is here.
Walmsley is such a talented young player, and deserves to show what she can do in game 3, when none of the other SF goalers have dominated yet. I hadn’t thought of her as a GA option, but suspect she’d be as good as Maia, at least!
At least the losses have been fairly close, esp in game 1 – I’m sure the Ferns can lift.
I’m surprised to suggest this, but benching Grace for Amelia might open up space better for the Ferns on attack.
Add in a WA who can break through a zone (COB) and there’s your deficit wiped.
I agree the 4 goal loss flattered the Ferns – none of them put their hand up today, and Englands win was thoroughly deserved 🙌
The biggest issue for the Ferns seemed to be penetrating England’s mid court defence, which was phenomenal. Tchine is a machine too – she will give Cardwell a good run for staring GS in the future, and easily got the best of Jackson and Mikaere today.
Nweke had the worst game I’ve seen her play, with soft hands and shaky shooting. I thought Heffernan was really close to getting ball several times at WD, without actually getting any.
I’d bring COB back in for game 3 – neither Poi nor Souness really took command.
Good call Maryann, gin o’clock.
My guess for SF starting 7:
Nweke
Eke
Souness
Gordon
Heffernan
Burger
JuryWould be happy to see Mikaere, Mason and Poi getting a go.
Interesting Eng have the better winning % over the last 25 games – they’ll be tough to beat.
I don’t think they lose much with Tchine in instead of Cardwell.
in reply to: 2025 ANZ PREMIERSHIP #1378770Tactix seem to be a bit light on GK cover…
I wonder if Shannon Saunders might pop up in their mid court? Unsure how her rehab is going but would be a great get, if fit.
Agree Sam Wonders would be another experienced option, definitely serviceable at C though prob more WD in a team that seems to have that one well covered.
- This reply was modified 8 months, 3 weeks ago by Paul2020.
in reply to: 2025 ANZ PREMIERSHIP #1378736I wonder if Fifita could be signed elsewhere, possibly Tactix?
She wasn’t the same player in 2024 after 2 seasons away, though if she isn’t signed and still wants to play then she could make a good training partner for Steel/ southern blast player, who could come in if anything happened to Stythe.
Laura Balmer is another backup option, assuming she isn’t signed elsewhere. NZ U21 player, who was with Southern blast this year. I’m not sure about her height but I think is 1.85m + …
in reply to: 2024/25 Silver Ferns Squad #1378574As acknowledged – I’m probably a one-eyed fan 😂
I’m not saying G Heffernan has fully realised her potential, or that there aren’t areas to improve.
But if Meels went down during a big game I’d rather have her on the interchange bench than pretty much any of the other (limited) alternatives.
From memory Tutaia frequently shot sub-80% for the national league season, but usually rose to the occasion for big games.
While GH hasn’t earned the comparison to Tutaia yet, my point is while it would be nice to have depth and genuine competition for spots, where there isn’t I’d rather back a player who might put in a big shift, and rise to the occasion, over the one who most probably can’t.
Hope we can disagree and still be friends – very much enjoy the different perspectives of educated and passionate fans on the forum.
Ngā mihi ki a koutou – thanks to all.
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