This week let’s look at the impact that players can have when they're itching on the sidelines. It makes me wonder: is it now a coaching strategy to keep a player on the bench so that when they come on, they're ready and raring to go?
If this is the case, coaches need to be careful, as it will often work for a little bit but if the reason why players are/aren't getting picked isn't consistent and clear to these players and the team it can cause all kinds of issues!
The only coach nailing it at the moment, I believe, is Sunshine Lightning coach Noeline Taurua, with the Swifts’ Briony Akle a close second.
With the Lightning, it’s very clear to me watching from the sidelines who is on court and why. Then when the changes happen, it's almost always at exactly the right time. For example, in their game against GIANTS on the weekend, they had a timeout when they were three goals down, and made a change in their goal circle. When Cara Koenen is sitting on 10.5 Nissan Net Points and not quite doing the job, what a luxury to be able to call upon Peace Proscovia, who ended up with 71.5 Nissan Net Points - not far behind the game’s highest scorer in wing attack Laura Scherian, who had 81.
Proscovia had a wonderful start to the season and has averaged 56 Net Points, but with Koenen stepping up and delivering in tandem with Steph Wood over the past few weeks, it’s clear why that change to the starting seven has been made.
But if the reasons aren’t clear, like with Nat Medhurst at the Magpies, this is where things can get tricky.
Last week I put my hand up to say Gabby Sinclair should have started at goal attack for the Magpies, after a great performance the previous week. But then when Nat Medhurst comes on and does her job against the Thunderbirds – scoring 55.5 Net Points in the second half - from the outside there is no reason why she shouldn't have started against the West Coast Fever on Monday night. It clearly fired her up, as well the motivation of playing her old side.
Medhurst’s 84 Net Points against the Fever earned her a position in the Net Points Team of the Week, and only Ash Braz had more points on court than her. Speaking of Braz, she was the highest-scoring player in the competition with 111.5, and all while playing a new position in centre - clearly a great move for the Magpies late in the season!
All I'm saying is, it might be clear on the inside - and we don't know what the goings on are in the inner sanctum - but as a coach if there's not clarity for players around who is playing and why, then buckle up because you're in for one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
SWIFTS HAVE VIXENS’ MEASURE
I don't know what the Swifts put in the Vixens’ drink bottles, but they have now managed to stifle the Victorians twice this season.
Mwai Kumwenda was back in business - finishing fifth in the game for Nissan Net Points, with 44 from only half a game, but the shock was the Swifts’ ability to nullify Kate Moloney, who has been averaging 81.5 NNP but was kept to 41.5. Clever from the Swifts to target the captain - by keeping her quiet they kept the team quiet.
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO
As for the Thunderbirds - THEY ARE BACK! Or are they? They scored their highest team Nissan Net Points score (384.5) since Round 1 against the Fever. But it has taken them another 11 rounds to have a similar performance. Are they consolidating? I guess we'll find out this weekend when they take on the GIANTS! If Maria Folau can have another ripper game after scoring 76 Net Points - double her season average - then the Giants could be in trouble.
What do I want to see this weekend? More seamless impacts from players coming on! Chasing down teams, changing dynamics and throwing everything on the line with only two rounds to go. But I also want to see some of this season’s more inconsistent players - especially Folau and Medhurst - really step up again for their sides. When they do, their team wins. That’s a heavy weight on their shoulders but both have the experience and the capability to deliver.
The question is: how bad do they want it?
We'll have to watch this weekend to find out!!
