Julie Fitzgerald s shot at a sixth national netball league title is alive while Stacey Marinkovich signed off without silverware as Giants Netball booked a grand final berth with a 64-61 win against West Coast Fever at USC Stadium.
Ameliaranne Ekanasio and Dame Noeline Taurua
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Dame Noeline said winning the elusive cup was massive but the celebrations won t linger. They ve been amazing games and I think we ve all ridden the ups and downs of the whole week …it s good to seal that one, put it in the trophy [cabinet] and move on.
Dame Noeline said she got a lot of intel from the series and was happy to get all 14 squad members out on court. So I sort of know what the players play like under the world number one and also I think it s just a progression as we lead into the Commonwealth Games and also the worlds so I m elated.
Sunday, 7 March 2021, 5:34 pm
Photo
courtesy Michael Bradley
Photography
Showing their growing
ability to close out games, the Silver Ferns produced
another gripping come-from-behind win to pip Australia 45-43
and clinch the Constellation Cup series 3-1 in Christchurch
on Sunday.
In the process, the Silver Ferns broke a
long drought in getting their hands on the Constellation Cup
for the first time since 2012.
In a recurring theme,
the Silver Ferns, after being down by five at halftime,
delivered a blockbuster second half. In a fourth-quarter
arm-wrestle, the Silver Ferns held their composure in a toe-
to-toe stand-off with their great rivals.
“Going out and coming back [into the Ferns] I’m more aware it s not forever,” Winders said ahead of Saturday s pivotal game three at Christchurch Arena (4.15pm start). “I think I’m less focussed on the end result kind of mindset and more focussed on the journey and what goes in between and knowing netball isn’t everything and I’ve actually got a pretty choice life out of it.” The 39-test midcourter, who debuted in 2017, admitted earlier in her career she placed too much pressure on herself around team selection and performance, which wasn’t always healthy.
Kai Schwoerer