SUPERMUM A DRIVING FORCE FOR JAGUARS
THE Golden South Jags are drawing on the defensive skills of their own Laura Geitz as they prepare for the Queensland State Netball League’s biggest test.
Veteran goalkeeper and mother-of-two Jade Fiscalini has been a key figure in the Jags’ impressive start to the season, which continues against three-time champions Brisbane North tonight.
Round 1 losers, the Coast side have strung together consecutive wins after overturning an 11-goal deficit in last week’s 50-48 triumph over Brisbane South.
Firebirds and Diamonds defender Geitz made headlines after recovering from the birth of son Barney to feature in this year’s Commonwealth Games, but the return of 31-year-old Fiscalini has been equally impressive.
A teacher at Pacific Pines’ Park Lake State School, the Melbourne product joined the Jags as a 23-year-old and has missed three seasons since to have Nate and Scarlett, now five and three respectively.
“I came back and played last year and then was going to have this year off but Paula (Stuart, coach) came back and she was my original coach and asked me to come back,” Fiscalini, who is treating this season as her last, said.
“I think the time off with the kids actually helped me, I’ve never had ankle or knee problems so my body is OK. It’s just a time thing (that makes it hard).
“I’d love to win a premiership. I’m actually very lucky because where I grew up playing netball, I won a lot of premierships in juniors and seniors so I have had that glory and it’s wonderful, so it would be great to do that again.”
Sitting second, the Jags take on the Cougars at the State Netball Centre at 8.15pm.