If the Diamonds hope to maintain their World Cup dream alive they need to deal with these key areas, writes NAT MEDHURST.
Removed from supreme however not all doom and gloom but.
The Roses’ one-goal win over the Diamonds, their first victory over Australia in 13 makes an attempt at a World Cup, means our path to the ultimate now goes by means of Jamaica; a workforce who entered this match with monumental confidence and perception after a superb Commonwealth Video games.
Fortunately for the Diamonds, there’s nonetheless a tomorrow and an opportunity to atone.
In 2015, we misplaced a spherical recreation towards the Silver Ferns and, whereas I can’t say for positive how this defeat will affect the present crop of Diamonds gamers and workers, it definitely poked the bear in our case and ensured we didn’t make the identical errors once more.
These are the teachings and small changes Australia should make to bounce again.
FIX THE SLOW STARTS
It has been irritating to look at this occur repeatedly and it isn’t simply the viewers at house speaking about it. Different groups in South Africa would have taken word, too.
I’ve little question the Jamaicans will likely be discussing the gradual begins earlier than Saturday’s conflict and seeking to exploit Australia’s vulnerability as finest they’ll. In opposition to England, the Diamonds discovered themselves down by 5 targets within the first quarter and had been considerably fortunate to enter the quarter time break solely two targets down.
The workforce should deal with this. Whether or not the fault lies with their heat up, having set performs in each assault and defence that information their choice making or one thing else, they really want to attract the road on it now.
In spite of everything, they might solely have another likelihood to get it proper.
ATTACKING MOVEMENT
In watching the Diamonds’ first quarter – and contrasting it with how the Roses clawed their approach again within the again half of the sport – it’s evident Australia’s assault is in some disarray.
Gamers are making the identical strikes, usually operating on high of one another and never permitting for his or her ordinary, fluent netball to take impact. Even towards a unique fashion of defence and more durable opposition in England, the ball ought to nonetheless be transferring with higher pace and precision, with gamers offering clearer results in open up area.
Personally, I wish to see Cara Koenen keep within the circle no less than for the primary few passages of play. It seems as if there’s an excessive amount of motion, so she is the one that should sit again, permit the gamers in entrance of her to type themselves out and convey the ball to her.
She is most deadly within the circle. Her baseline dodges and timing will beat anybody however towards the Roses her motion a lot of the time was within the improper place and counter-productive, even regardless of taking pictures a big quantity of targets.
COACHING CHANGES
A lot has been stated about Sophie Garbin not taking the courtroom however, given the numerous adjustments made within the defensive finish, I puzzled why Sunday Aryang didn’t see any courtroom time.
When Chelsea Pitman was lastly placed on the courtroom for the Roses, her affect was speedy and immense. The movement that the Diamonds had stifled was again and England was in a position to hit circle’s edge with higher effectivity that made it tougher for the circle defenders to cease.
A few of Australia’s adjustments had been efficient, however not all of them did or for lengthy sufficient.
When continually chopping and altering gamers, there’s a fantastic line between it being efficient and detrimental, with gamers second guessing themselves for concern of being taken off or not having the psychological software to work by means of sticky conditions. It could actually additionally imbue confidence into an opponent, who interpret the strikes as an indication they’ve the higher hand.
Stacey Marinkovich stated that she is going to assessment her adjustments and the affect they’d.
What she learns from that assessment, solely time will inform.
STAY ON THE GOOD SIDE
Umpires have been snug cautioning and warning gamers at this match.
In assault and defence, the Diamonds had gamers cautioned. That may have an effect, particularly if the eye of the umpires is damaging and early in a recreation. It could actually set a tone that in the end umpires a participant out of the sport.
The gamers have a job in making certain this doesn’t occur. It isn’t about contesting much less, however it’s in regards to the timing of it, how they have interaction with the umpires and the intent with which they do it.
Even within the Jamaica versus New Zealand recreation that adopted Australia’s loss, Jamaican defender Shamera Sterling was on a warning and her subsequent indiscretion would have been a send-off – all earlier than half the sport was full.
On Saturday, the Jamaicans are going to come back out powerful. The physicality from their defenders will likely be evident. In some ways, the workforce that stays on aspect with the umpires from the primary whistle will likely be as the sport continues at essential contests and when shut calls should be made.
