Stepping up in big way
WHEN a champion of the game steps down to prepare for motherhood it leaves a giant hole in any team in any sport.
So it is with the Queensland Firebirds in the new Suncorp Super Netball series because, among a number of departures, we have lost our gun defender, captain and mum-to-be Laura Geitz.
They are big shoes to fill in the key defensive post but I have no doubt that our Laura No.2, Laura Clemesha, can take over the role and add her own flair to the GK bib.
It is uncanny how many similarities there are between the two.
They both hail from the Darling Downs – Laura G from Warwick and Laura C from Toowoomba – they are both goal keepers and, obviously, both are named Laura.
Away from her athletic ability Laura C is also extremely bright! Her lateral way of thinking therefore means the defenders’ game tactics have a plan A, plan B, plan C,D, E, F, G, etc.
Which for we attackers is all too much to think about while playing and usually just goes right over our heads.
Clemmy was a school captain in her younger days and is a natural-born leader.
She was an OP1 student, is now studying psychology and is an honours student.
For the Firebirds’ opening SSN match against new Queensland derby rivals Sunshine Coast Lightning last weekend Clemmy’s first role as GK was on Diamonds star Caitlyn Bassett.
She prepared mentally by using a written motivational piece she put in the changeroom.
It read: “If we wait until we’re ready we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.”
We girls knew how ready Clemmy was from seeing her shine on the training courts day in, day out.
However, during the game I thought Clemmy proved to herself how ready she was and did a great job on a very good opponent.
The game ended in a 56-all draw and I feel many more tight results are likely this year with a new-look competition featuring eight Aussie franchises, including three new teams.
It is a bittersweet feeling when scores are level at fulltime.
It was not the first time I have played in a rare draw in netball. When I made my debut for the Firebirds in 2015 we drew against my former club the Swifts.
WITH one new club down we now front up to a second against Collingwood Magpies at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre tomorrow night.
The Magpies will be hard to beat, especially with six Diamonds in their ranks.
On a personal note it’s going to be a challenge coming up against my very good friend and former Firebirds teammate Kim Ravaillion, one of the many Diamonds now with the Maggies.
There will not be any friendly sledging between us – my trash talk is awful – but I’ll be letting her know about it if we win.
Kim is going to stay with me on Saturday night, then do a clinic on Sunday.
She had better be nice out there or she’ll be sleeping out on the balcony.