Season’s highs and lows
With the second edition of the national netball premiership in the books, BRENDON EGAN recaps the key talking points.
Overall impression:
The national premiership needed to deliver after a drab inaugural season and it did take a positive step forward. Even contests were a feature of the competition with 23 of the 47 matches (49 per cent) decided by five goals or fewer. Both finals matches turned out to be absolute beauties. The progress of several youngsters, who frequently matched it with established Silver Ferns, was another encouraging aspect. The error rate from teams and overall skill level remains a concern with many players guilty of drifting in and out of matches. Compared to Australia’s Super Netball, the competition lags well down on the intensity scale. Ultimately, the proof will be in how the Silver Ferns go over the next year leading into the 2019 Netball World Cup. How well some of the new faces in the Ferns kick on and make an impact in international netball will be intriguing too.
Most memorable game:
Several contenders here, but how can you go past the suspense of the closing stages of Sunday’s grand final. The Pulse seemingly had the title in the bag, up by six goals with four minutes left. They imploded, only managing to put up one shot in that time, which Ameliaranne Ekenasio missed at the death. It was a meltdown of monumental proportions from the table-topping Pulse, who froze as the Steel piled on seven unanswered goals. Drama, excitement, tears, elation, it had it all. Bailey Mes’ last second winner to beat the Pulse in round play and the Tactix extra-time win over the Stars get honourable mentions.
MVP:
Pulse skipper Katrina Grant was the ‘official’ competition MVP, but Tactix goal keep Temalisi Fakahokotau was mightily unlucky to miss out on the award. Fakahokotau was outstanding and her impact in the defensive end was critical in helping the Tactix to several close wins and a first finals appearance in club history. She finished first in all three major defensive categories, pulling in 29 rebounds, 110 deflections and 55 intercepts. A lock for tomorrow’s Silver Ferns’ 2018-19 squad naming and should start at goal keep in their next match against England on September 15.
Biggest surprise:
Reward yourself if you predicted the Steel would take out the title back in May. Losing their two best players from last year’s championship-winning side, Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler and defender Jane Watson, last year’s competition MVP, it was difficult to see the Steel going back-to-back. There was even further trepidation when Jamaican import Malysha Kelly suffered a season-ending knee injury in pre-season, further weakening their defensive end. If last year’s van crash has taught us anything, the Steel are a resilient lot, used to overcoming adversity. They love a challenge and are at their best when their backs are against the wall.
Biggest disappointment:
Got to be the Northern Mystics. The strongest squad on paper to begin the season, the Mystics never recovered from a poor start. The perennial underachievers showed glimpses of their potential, but could never put it together week-to-week. Silver Ferns star Maria Folau’s constant coming and going between Auckland and her Sydney home, as agreed upon before the start of the season, was a distraction and hindered the Mystics’ connections on court and team chemistry. Plenty was expected of the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in pre-season, but seasonending injuries to standout defenders Casey Kopua and Kelly Jury were crushing blows.
Best new talent:
Tough to split between 18-year-old Pulse goal shoot Aliyah Dunn and standout Tactix centre Kimiora Poi, who both thrived in their first full season in the competition. Dunn was the second most accurate shooter with
524 goals from 577 attempts (91 per cent) and was a handy rebounder with her
1.90m height. Poi has drawn comparison to a young Temepara Bailey and looks a player with an incredibly bright future. One of the fittest players in New Zealand netball, Poi was a fantastic signing for the Tactix. Pulse wing defence Karin Burger was excellent among players in their second full season.
Most improved player: Unwanted for April’s Commonwealth Games, Steel wing attack Gina Crampton replied in the best possible manner with a standout campaign. Consistent, motivated and tremendous with her feeding, vision and leadership, it was a breakout campaign from the 26-year-old. A Silver Ferns recall looms tomorrow and on her 2018 form for the Steel, a starting wing attack bib.
Most controversial moment:
The send-off of Stars wing defence Fa’amu Ioane against the Mystics was uncharted territory and generated significant chatter in the netball community. Ioane wasn’t dismissed for violence or dangerous play, just going offside persistently. A Netball New Zealand judicial review panel instead found it was the umpires’ actions that warranted further investigation. After looking into the matter, the judicial officer confirmed the umpires had followed correct processes and it was a timely reminder to assess their ‘‘procedures’’. All in all, it was a messy situation and not a great look for the competition.