Wairarapa are experimenting with Tania Davidson at goal shoot in their regional superleague netball match with Hutt Valley's Convent Old Girls at the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton tomorrow night.
Coach Kelly Sargent has moved Davidson into that position in a move which she hopes will help Wairarapa cope with what
is a tall COG defence.
And while most of Davidson's netball has been at either wing defence or goal defence, Sargent is confident she has the ability to make a decent fist of her new role.
"We're picking it could get pretty physical in the circle and she (Davidson) has the skills to cope with that," she said.
"She has a very competitive attitude and that could come in handy there."
Davidson will be part of a starting line-up which will have Geraldine Carroll at goal attack, Carelene Karaitiana at wing attack, Emma Foote at centre, Katie Wyeth at wing defence, Bridget Minehan at goal defence and Jesse Smith at goalkeep.
It is a somewhat different combination to that which drew 42-42 with defending champions PIC last Friday, a result which didn't please Sargent as she considered Wairarapa had blown the chance to secure what would have an upset win.
"I know there are a lot of people who would say a draw against PIC is a good result but when you reflect on the game it wasn't good enough," Sargent said.
"We put ourselves in a position to win and we blew it and we only had ourselves to blame."
Sargent said that match was a classic illustration of her players needing to take more responsibility on court.
"I don't doubt for a minute we have the skills to measure up to just about anyone but the thought processes have to be better," she said.
" We need to out think our opposition as well as outplay them."
Sargent said this week's training had been a light one with more time being spent discussing what was required for Wairarapa to play to their full potential on a consistent basis.
"You can't fault the enthusiasm of the players, they are keen to do anything they can to lift their performance," she said.
"There is a lot of natural talent there and we have to make the most of it."
With COG beating PIC by one goal a fortnight ago Sargent is expecting a close match tomorrow night but she was prepared to tip a Wairarapa victory all the same.
"Nothing is going to come easy but if we stick to the game plan and do the basics well we should get home," she said.
