Rookie Dwan shoots for breakout season
DIAMONDS ace Gretel Bueta is backing rising star Tippah Dwan to have a breakout season after the debutante’s stellar showing for the Firebirds in the Super Netball opener.
Bueta is pregnant with her first child and will sit out this Super Netball season but remains a key part of the Firebirds side, mentoring young shooters Dwan and Mia Stower.
Dwan has big shoes to fill given Bueta’s standing as the Liz Ellis Diamond winner last year after outstanding performances for both club and country.
And while she knows she won’t be able to fly under the radar again, the 20-year-old is determined to remain a thorn in the side of the competition’s defenders as she continues to hone her game under Bueta’s tutelage.
Dwan gives away 14cm to her mentor but her composed performance on debut — adding 11 goals, including three-offour from super shot range — helped form a potent combination in the circle with Romelda Aiken.
“It felt pretty normal really because I’ve been working with Romelda for a few years as well but just having (Bueta) on the sideline gave me a bit of a boost trying to be the lead goal attack,” Dwan said of her debut match.
Bueta felt like a “proud mother duck” watching Dwan go to work against the Lightning despite the Firebirds’ eventual loss in the derby.
“She’s been training exactly the way she played and I wasn’t surprised, I was just very excited she just went out there (and performed),” the Aussie Diamonds star said.
“She’s such a cool, calm, collected person under pressure, so it was amazing just to see her out there showcasing her talent.
“She’s so talented and she adds something completely different to our shooting circle, which I like.”
Dwan started her netball career in China as an eightyear-old while her father was posted in Shanghai.
She was added to the extended Firebirds squad while in year 12 boarding at Brisbane’s Somerville House.
A foot injury and subsequent operation dashed her hopes of making her Super Netball debut last year, and when COVID-19 threatened the 2020 season, her playing drought extended.
“I hadn’t played a game in over a year, so it was a big bummer,” she said.
Dwan was thrilled for Bueta when she found out about her pregnancy and, while she knew it could open a door for her, thought the Firebirds may opt to recruit a high-profile international player.
“Obviously she was the best goal attack in the world at the time, so I thought they might do, but with the pandemic going on I thought I might have a bit of a chance because it might be a bit tricky to get someone from overseas,” Dwan said.
But Bueta said one of the great strengths of Dwan’s game was the difference she brought to the team
“Put Tippah in there and ruffle a few feathers,” she said.
The Firebirds take on the Melbourne Vixens in Round at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on Saturday.