Northern Stars can’t lose forever
Stuff recaps the week of netball and looks at some of the talking points ahead of round four of the national premiership.
STARS’ RUN OF WOE
The Northern Stars’ losing run can’t possibly continue forever.
Their three defeats so far have all been close ones, which suggests they’re unlucky as much as they aren’t good enough. Wednesday’s loss to the Mainland Tactix was particularly painful, coming after they had been ahead or tied for all but the final 11 seconds.
Before that, they were locked in a tight one with the Northern Mystics before having a player ordered off, and back in round one, they were ahead by four with six minutes left against the Tactix, only to lose in extra time.
They play the also-winless Magic on Sunday in their first home game, which could be the break they need to get on the board.
INJURIES IRK
Jess Maclennan and the Tactix received news this week that nobody wanted to hear – the defender had suffered her third serious injury in four seasons.
First it was her achilles, then the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, and now the ACL in her right knee, ruling her out for the rest of the season.
With three wins in four outings, the Tactix have already had their best season in nine years, and they won’t be hampered too much – Temalisi Fakahokotau and Jane Watson remain a fierce defensive combo – while Maclennan herself remains upbeat.
‘‘Imagine that story – coming back from three major injuries,’’ she told Stuff this week. ‘‘There’s something about the resilience it would take for that that makes me think ‘OK, I’m going to do this’.’’
THE MARIA FOLAU SHAMBLES
The will she/won’t she mystery surrounding the Silver Ferns shooter continued this week, as she played no part in the Northern Mystics’ loss to the Southern Steel in Invercargill on Monday.
It was labelled a shambles before the game on TV and there’s no other word for it. No-one can say for sure the Mystics would have won had Folau been there, and not in Sydney, but her presence can only improve their chances.
Coach Helene Wilson maintained in pre-season that they were fine with the arrangement and that it wouldn’t be a problem, but as long as Folau is a sometimes player, it will puzzle those watching on – and potentially cost the Mystics dearly.
PULSE LEAD THE WAY
Last year’s runners up have been the form team early on this season, and they have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the ladder on Wednesday, when they host the second-placed Steel, who they beat rather comfortably in Palmerston North in round one.
A win would be their fifth on the trot and put them four points clear – if the Tactix don’t beat the Mystics on Monday. Teenage shooter Aliyah Dunn has been a revelation, shooting with better accuracy (89 per cent) than anyone else who has put up more than 80 attempts. Their defensive end, led by Katrina Grant, has remained strong as well.
WHISTLEBLOWER WORRIES
Wednesday night’s game between the Tactix and Stars may have had a thrilling conclusion but it was a hard one to get into for most of the four quarters, thanks largely to the umpiring.
At least half a dozen players, from both teams, were pulled up for their repeated infringing – some cautioned, some warned, some both – and the short stoppages on each occasion prevented both teams from getting into any sort of flow, which probably helped the Tactix hang around to pinch a win.
No-one was suspended, let alone ordered off this week, so the players were making the adjustments needed, but it wasn’t a pretty watch.