Grant’s silence spoke volumes
Stuff recaps the week of netball and looks at the big talking points ahead of the final round of the national premiership.
Grant’s silence baffles
Netball New Zealand (NNZ) and the Central Pulse missed a trick not making Silver Ferns skipper Katrina Grant available to media at the Super Sunday round.
Netball fans deserved to hear from Grant after the completion of the first stage of the independent review and Janine Southby’s resignation as Ferns coach.
While no-one expects Grant to reveal the inner details of what she confidentially told the review panel, several other questions are reasonable. Grant should have fronted on how responsible the Silver Ferns feel for Southby’s exit, whether she wants to continue as captain, and her reaction to the review’s findings about Southby’s playerled culture, which backfired.
Grant did speak to Stuff on Monday, but disappointingly was only allowed to speak about Pulse matters. Transparency should be a priority for NNZ post-review and it wasn’t a great start. BE
Defensive tearaways
Tactix defenders Temalisi Fakahokotau and Jane Watson have created a formidable combination this season.
As far as defensive circle combinations go, they have been the best in the national premiership with Pulse pair, Katrina Grant and Sulu Fitzpatrick, a close second.
Watson, back at the Tactix after three years at the Steel, has flourished in her first full season at goal defence. She has predominantly played goal keep over her career.
Both Fakahokotau and Watson must be certainties for the Silver Ferns squad, which will be announced on August 14.
Fakahokotau said they had clearly defined roles and believed they would only get better as a defensive duo: ‘‘[Watson] is more free to go out there and attack ball. I think our combination has definitely grown game in and game out. I think we have a great understanding of each other. What we expect of each other too is high.’’ BE
Rested Pulse
The Pulse have locked in top spot and hosting rights for the premiership final on August 12. They’ll have the advantage of a 10-day break leading into the decider. The second placed Southern Steel and whoever finishes third (the Tactix and Mystics are both in contention) face a much tighter turnaround.
Whoever wins the August 8 elimination final (two versus three) will have just three full days leading into the final. Come the day of the final, the Pulse will be well rested, having played three games in 22 days. Should the Tactix or Steel make the final, they will have played an extra game in that time (four games in 22 days). The Mystics would have had a busy workload, playing six games within 26 days. BE
Ave Maria
If the Mystics don’t make the finals, they’ll wonder what might have been had they had Silver Ferns star Maria Folau available more regularly.
Sydney-based Folau, who has been on restricted duties to help prolong her career through to the 2019 World Cup, shone in Wednesday’s 62-44 thumping of the Magic, landing 35 goals from 38 attempts.
The Mystics have a 5-2 record when Folau plays, but that drops to 2-5 when she’s not there.
One benefit of the arrangement is Folau looks extremely fresh at a time of year when many players are starting to feel the effects of fatigue. That’s helping the Mystics as they push for the finals and it should aid the Ferns when the Quad Series comes too. AV
Mystics mystery
Have the Mystics turned a corner, or have they just won three games against the teams that will finish fifth and six on the ladder, made worse by untimely injuries?
With caution, lean towards the first one. Back-to-back 18-goal thumpings of the Stars and Magic are the product of a team that is at full strength and firing.
There were times on Wednesday where they looked like the best team in the competition, and if they make the finals, the Steel and Pulse will be on notice. AV