Bird to lift Mainland’s chances in Beko final
Tactix shooter Ellie Bird could make all the difference to her Mainland Phoenix side as they look to complete a rags to riches storyline.
Mainland finished bottom of Netball New Zealand’s second tier Beko League last season, but on Sunday face unbeaten Central at Auckland’s Trusts Arena in the final.
While Central won by 18 goals (57-39) the last time they played Mainland, the Canterbury-based side were missing star shooter Bird. Mainland coach Peter McInnes believed Bird’s height and shooting accuracy could be an advantage for the final.
McInnes expected to get at least half a game out of Bird, with the final being played after the Tactix last round game against the Northern Mystics at the same venue.
‘‘It’ll be touch and go. She had a game with the Tactix during the week [against the Steel] and then before us. She should get half a game playing for us.’’
McInnes said Bird was pivotal to Mainland’s chances of causing an upset against Central, who have gone unbeaten this season, winning all 10 games.
‘‘She has the ability to score 40 plus points by herself. I don’t know anyone else who does that.’’
Aside from Bird, Tactix players Kate Lloyd and Charlotte Elley may be in the mix too. Elley would only be an injury replacement for defender, Kayla Williams, if she doesn’t recover in time from an ankle injury. McInnes said he would like to see all his side fit and healthy as his week-to-week players were the preferred. ‘‘Hopefully, Kayla has recovered as she is definitely the one for us.’’
After finishing bottom of the table last year and winning just one game, McInnes and the Mainland side had achieved a dramatic turn around in results. He puts the winning formula down to a number of factors. These were the recruitment and coaching at the beginning of the season from Marianne Delaney-Hoshek, who has stepped up to coach the Tactix. He expected several players to make the Tactix next season if they continue to impress.