Steel wary of Tactix defenders
If the Southern Steel have reservations about the legality of Temalisi Fakahokotau’s abrasive defence they’re doing a good job disguising it.
The Silver Ferns goal keep has been an influential performer for the Mainland Tactix, who have exceeded expectations to make the playoffs for the first time in the team’s history.
How well the Steel attackers deal with her physical pressure in tonight’s national netball premiership elimination final in Invercargill will be critical to victory.
Fakahokotau has been the competition’s form defender, finishing round play first in rebounds (29) and intercepts (51), while sitting second for deflections (101). She can draw the ire of the umpires with her aggressive attitude on defence, being penalised 234 times, the second most behind Phoenix Karaka (Mystics).
Steel coach Reinga Bloxham said Fakahokotau and defensive partner Jane Watson, who was league MVP with the Steel last season, had been discussed heavily in their team meetings.
Bloxham didn’t have any issue with what Fakahokotau was able to get away with defensively.
‘‘I think ultimately at the end of the day her main focus is getting her hands on that ball. I really like that about her, that she’s got a real determination for going out there to get that ball.’’
With the height of 1.96m goal shoot Ellie Bird, the Tactix have the ability to score rapidly. One or two swift passes down court and Bird can make you pay, if she gets the ball where she wants it close to the hoop.
Bloxham stressed the Steel had to be smart with their ball placement with Watson and Fakahokotau two of the better defensive hunters in the competition. Turning ball over to the Tactix just gave them more opportunities to fire passes into Bird.
On defence, all seven Steel players had to bring the intensity, including their shooters.
‘‘We’ve talked about having to Temalisi make sure we Fakahokotau do our jobs outside the circle to help that last line of defence and make it a little bit more difficult. We know we have to put pressure on those outside feeders.’’
The Steel don’t need any reminder about delivering a memorable performance for retiring captain Wendy Frew in the final home game of her 16-year career.
Frew, a proud Southlander, has spent her entire career with the Steel and their predecessors, the Sting.
To honour the midcourter’s immense contribution to southern netball, Stadium Southland has been dubbed ‘Wendy Frew Stadium’ for the occasion.
Bloxham said they had done their best to keep their emotions in check and not make a fuss over Frew’s home farewell. She hoped they would use that positive energy to their advantage and believed their parochial Invercargill crowd would provide a significant boost.
Goal shoot Jennifer O’Connell has recovered from a ruptured eardrum and Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek identified O’Connell as a key threat and said shutting down her links with Te Paea Selby-Rickit and midcourters Gina Crampton and Shannon Francois was paramount.
Games between the sides this season have been cliffhangers with each winning one away from home by a 53-52 scoreline. The third match in Invercargill on July 16 was another nailbiter with the Steel holding on to win 59-56.
The winner faces the topranked Central Pulse in the grand final in Palmerston North on Sunday.