Netball: Concentrate - or lose

By LOIS MUIR

The Silver Ferns put in a great effort to level the series, and we'll need more of that for the final test.

They have to keep their concentration for the entire 60 minutes if they are to beat Australia in tomorrow night's decider.

New Zealand's performance in the second test was much better - everyone in the team came to the game to play.

But some areas of concern persist. In the first quarter, New Zealand looked superior early on but took their foot off the accelerator.

They did it again in the last quarter and were lucky Australian shooter Catherine Cox was having such a 'mare at the time.

We certainly can't go into tomorrow night's game and have those lapses of concentration.

In the last quarter we were almost on the victory dais before the end of the game and you just cannot do that, especially against Australia.

Whether we were weary or we just lacked that drive in the last quarter, people got a bit complacent and our turnover rate increased dramatically.

Unnecessary mistakes at this level are like wrapping the ball up with a ribbon and giving it to Australia.

Our defence was good in the first quarter but then deteriorated. I saw people floating off and having a few zzzzs in the corner when they should have been defending. When the ball is coming through court at speed it is very, very hard to stop, so everyone has to be diligent to slow it down and stress the Australian passers.

We did to Australia what they did to us in the opening test - slowing them down on their attack through court. When we lost that focus, they punished us severely.

Lesley Nicol did a great job at wing defence. We didn't see Australian wing attack Natalie Avellino at all and as a result, it affected their shooter, Cox. New Zealand essentially took away her support and this created confusion in the Australian attack.

Cox was under a lot of pressure. She was the captain and her team were trying to fight back. She lost her focus and when her shots started to fail, she didn't want to attempt them. It was sad, but it was self-inflicted pressure.

Anna Scarlett did a good job on defence for New Zealand. She really upset the Aussie shooters.

Vilimaina Davu played better but at times the Australian shooters found good space by just popping the ball over our circle defence.

Adine Wilson played good support netball around the circle. Her position and movement on attack was well-planned.


There were great improvements in New Zealand's passing options. They were always in support, communicated and released the ball quicker.

This is what gave the Silver Ferns the edge.

Both Jodi Te Huna and Irene van Dyk played well and looked to have a great understanding. They worked the goal circle to put up quality shots.

There's no doubt Australia missed their captain, defender Liz Ellis. But the Australian defence on court will have grown from the experience. They are learning all the time and will be tougher in the next encounter. New Zealand had better be ready.

The Silver Ferns will do well if they stay one step ahead of the Australians, change the game plan a little so as not to be predictable, have a greater desire than their rivals and drive hard into every ball.

Then we will stay on our winning way.