Harrison working on ways to harass Aussies
Silver Ferns’ defender Anna Harrison is preparing to unleash a bold new defensive tactic in tonight’s Constellation Cup finale in Invercargill.
The athletic defender, who introduced the Harrison Hoist — a ploy where a defender is lifted to block a shot — to top level netball, has been working on a new innovation on her defence of the shot.
The Ferns have trialled the new move in training this week as they continue to look at ways to curtail the impact of 1.93m Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett.
New Zealand coach Janine Southby has given Harrison the green light to use the tactic in the final clash of the series tonight after the umpires found no issue with the move when it was used in a training match at Stadium Southland yesterday.
“I think the girls are keen to have a go, we were just seeing what reaction we got today [from the umpires] and they were okay with it,” said Southby.
“The big thing is the timing of it. The game is so fast so it is not going to happen every time, but I certainly think it’s something we can use.’’
Harrison has warned the defensive ploy is still a work in progress, and admits there is a strong chance it will leave her, rather than the Australian shooters, red-faced.
“It’s very new, and there will be bloopers.
‘‘We might not even get to do it. It’s kind of similar to the lift in that you can only do it when everything aligns,” the veteran defender said.
“I don’t know if it is going to be as effective I had hoped in my mind, but I definitely want to put it out there and it’s all about getting the shooters to think about something else other than being comfortable under the goal.”
Harrison emphasised it will take more than a few tricks to break down the well-drilled Diamonds attacking unit tonight.
After unsettling the Australian side with a ferocious full-court defensive effort in their 53-51 win in game two of the series in Tasmania last week, the Ferns let the intensity lapse again in the third test in Auckland, leading to a disappointing 12-goal defeat.
That margin mirrored the result in the opening game in Sydney, leaving the Ferns facing a near-impossible task of needing to win by around 22 goals tonight to snatch the Constellation Cup from Australia for the first time in four years.
The New Zealand coach is weighing up a re-jig of positions as she searches for the spark needed to reignite the Ferns’ defensive fire.
This series has underlined what a key role injured midcourter Kayla Cullen plays in the Ferns defensive structures. Laura Langman has done a predictably impressive job of filling the wing defence role, but she is also highly valuable in at centre.
Southby’s back-up option hasn’t worked so far. It’s a big ask for Harrison at wing defence to thwart midcourt speedster Madi Robinson, and just as bigger request for Jane Watson to shackle Bassett — 12cm taller.
The Ferns have this week tested an alternate line at training, with skipper Katrina Grant filling the wing defence bib, Harrison at goal defence, and Phoenix Karaka at goal keep.
“We’re just looking at all the options. I think it’s obvious we’re light on the ground at wing defence at the moment and certainly wing defence is a pivotal position.
‘‘I don’t know if it’s the most glorious position and it’s not the one that gets the kudos, but when you have a quality wing defence you know,” said Southby.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio won’t play tonight because of illness and family bereavement. The 25-year-old goal attack will be replaced by defender Storm Purvis in the match-day 12.