Henry’s new role gets Pulse racing

CENTRAL Pulse coach Robyn Broughton credits Joline Henry’s switch to centre for her side’s midseason form transformation.

After being hammered by the Waikato BOP Magic, Broughton altered her midcourt dramatically. Most notable was Henry’s move from wing defence to centre. It worked a treat.

Immediately after the switch, the Pulse secured a historic one-goal victory over the Adelaide Thunderbirds, then backed up by defeating the Southern Steel at Broughton’s old stamping ground last week.

Today, against the Tactix in Christchurch, the Pulse look to maintain momentum, record their first three consecutive wins in the trans-Tasman competition and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

But without Henry’s progression up the court, coupled with Millie Lees’ shift to wing attack and Katarina Cooper’s impetus at wing defence, the Pulse may have never found their mojo.

It could prove to be a seasondefining masterstroke.

The Pulse are now more fluid, assured and direct, while shooter Paula Griffin has lifted her accuracy and involvement.

‘‘Putting Joline Henry into the centre has certainly helped. I put her on there at training the Thursday before we played the Thunderbirds and she looked really good there,’’ Broughton said.

‘‘It was a big call for her to do it but she treated it as a challenge.

‘‘She hadn’t played in that position at that level before. She was outstanding there against the Steel. It seems to have helped Paula Griffin too. She has stepped up after having an indifferent start.’’

The move could be a signal to the NewZealand selectors, with Mystics captain Temepara George, who is understood to be in the Queen’s Birthday honours list, and Liana Leota vacating the midcourt.

‘‘She could become a full-time centre,’’ Broughton reckoned.

‘‘She was a bit disorientated with where and when to go but she commanded a presence. We got the ball though the court safely and quickly.

‘‘She brings that drive, that mana, that ‘give me the ball’ mentality. She’s a top Silver Fern and has that experience. Things like that make a big difference. It’s having the confidence to do things that others can’t, or don’t, do.’’

The Tactix defied their lowly last-placed, one-win, eight-loss season when they pushed the Mystics to a one-goal defeat on Monday.

‘‘I’ve had lots of games against the Tactix. I respect them. They certainly aren’t easybeats,’’ Broughton said. ‘‘They’ve got some very good players and if they click then you’re going to struggle. We watched that last week when the Mystics almost lost. We won’t be taking them lightly.’’