They've created a target the size of Ayers Rock on their backs but Queensland Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke has brushed off talk of another unbeaten season looming as her side swept to an easy ANZ Championship preseason tournament triumph yesterday at Mt Maunganui
The Firebirds couldn't have re-inked their title credentials any bolder if they'd shouted it from the roof of the TECT Arena, winning the Carrus Cup with a comprehensive and clinical 50-30 win over the Melbourne Vixens.
Queensland completed an unbeaten 2011 season to secure the title last year and went through this preliminary tournament, which featured all 10 franchises, unbeaten, with a draw with Norma Plummer's West Coast Fever their closest result. They won 15 consecutive games last season, including a 57-44 defeat of the Northern Mystics in the final, and the weekend's tournament stretched that run to 20.
Composed throughout, Firebirds were the better team across the court, their consistency setting the winning platform. That was in direct contrast to the Vixens, who went in fits and starts throughout the match. The well-drilled team from Queensland gradually inched ahead in the first quarter, building in domination as they took a handy 14-8 lead in to the first break.
Key target Romelda Aiken received a quality service under the hoop from Natalie Medhurst and Lauren Nourse, with the towering 1.96m Jamaican giving her defenders a tough day at the office.
Firebirds defensive trio of Keirra Trompf, Amy Steel and Laura Geitz had the wood on their opposites, bustling the Vixens attackers in creating a stream of turnover ball. Handling lapses and missed goals did not help the Vixens as Firebirds headed to halftime with one hand on the winner's trophy, leading 23-15.
Jencke said it wasn't as easy as it looked to continue their winning momentum.
"It was back to the drawing board for us after last year, setting all the same standards again. We've had to remind the girls that although last year was great, 2012 is the one we want. This weekend was about setting the foundation before even getting in the position for a final."
Jencke downplayed suggestions her side was out in front of the pack, although surely the nine opposition coaches will be scratching their collective heads over the next few weeks at how to topple Queensland.
"I don't know if I like the word hunted. It's a tough competition and there's some quality teams out there so we're under no illusions how tough it will be. If we perform adequately then we can start thinking about a final."
In the battle for New Zealand supremacy, the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic gave last year's runners up the Northern Mystics a lesson with a slick 51-36 victory, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds fifth place after dominating the NSW Swifts 42-34. Central Pulse were eighth after losing to Norma Plummer's West Coast Fever 54-39 while in the fight for the wooden spoon, the Canterbury Tactix edged the winless Southern Steel 49-42, raising a smile from ousted Steel coach Robyn Broughton.
Magic turned on the firepower in their playoff, hitting back from a 13-10 deficit, with the injection of Julianna Naoupu at goal attack in the second quarter having a marked impact. Classy defenders Casey Williams and Leana de Bruin proved a dynamic duo, deftly picking off intercept ball while starving the Mystics of shooting opportunities. Magic were ahead 29-24 at halftime and never looked back.
Coach Noeline Taurua said the weekend had set the tone for their season and allowed her to sort out combinations ahead of their season-opener against the Steel in Invercargill on April 2.
"I'm real happy with where we're sitting right now and I've got a clear idea now of what we need to train towards over the next four or five weeks," Taurua said.
Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg and Mystics mentor Debbie Fuller both questioned the wisdom of cramming five games into three days but Taurua had no complaints.
"On Friday everyone got on court. Saturday and today was more about finding combinations. The workload didn't faze our girls and to play three Australian teams, including the Firebirds, gave us the intensity we've been lacking 'til now. It also gave us plenty to work on as we were found wanting in plenty of areas."
ANZ Championship preseason tournament :
1 Queensland Firebirds (Carrus Cup), 2 Melbourne Vixens, 3 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, 4 Northern Mystics, 5 West Coast Fever, 6 Central Pulse, 7 Adelaide Thunderbirds, 8 NSW Swifts, 9 Canterbury Tactix, 10 Southern Steel.
Saturday's results:
Tactix 34 Pulse 48, Steel 31 Fever 40, Mystics 50 Thunderbirds 32, Magic 38 Firebirds 43, Tactix 38 Vixens 46, Steel 34 Swifts 45, Fever 36 Firebirds 36, Mystics 49 Pulse 42, Vixens 43 Thunderbirds 29, Firebirds 44 Swifts 38, Magic 43 Fever 39.
Yesterday's playoffs:
Playoff for 9/10th: Southern Steel 42 Tactix 49.
Playoff for for 7/8th: NSW Swifts 34 Adelaide Thunderbirds 42.
Playoff for 5/6th: West Coast Fever 54 Central Pulse 39.
Playoff for 3/4th Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 51 Northern Mystics 36.
Playoff for 1/2nd: Queensland Firebirds 50 Melbourne Vixens 31.