‘ENGINE ROOM’ LIGHTNING’S DRIVING FORCE
SUNSHINE Coast wing attack Kelsey Browne is happy for the reigning premiers’ unheralded “engine room” to go unnoticed while the Lightning roll through the Super Netball finals.
Superstar bookends Caitlin Bassett and Geva Mentor attract most of the attention at the Lightning while the underrated midcourt of Browne, centre Laura Scherian and wing defence Maddy McAuliffe go relatively unnoticed.
However, it was Browne who claimed the MVP honours in the one-goal win over the Queensland Firebirds in last weekend’s elimination final when the Lightning seized control by being more clinical and composed in the middle third of the court. The “Sunshine Shootout” victory set up this Sunday’s preliminary final clash with the Giants in Sydney.
The winner will take on the West Coast Fever in the grand final at Perth Arena on Sunday, August 26.
The Lightning have won their last five matches in a row to take ominous momentum into the 2017 grand final rematch, with their midcourt providing the all-important drive in attack and pressure in defence.
“We call ourselves ‘the engine room’ because we are willing to do the work,’’ Browne said.
“People talk about our bookends … we have some amazing players at either end of the court and we are happy for them to take the accolades. I’m happy to keep flying under the radar.”