It was another day, another trophy for the Australian Diamonds in Leeds, as the all-conquering Aussies took the Netball Nations Cup with a 69-49 demolition of England.
Here are the big talking points out of Australia’s win.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
MARINKOVICH’S SCARY FIVE WORDS
Five words from Australian coach Stacey Marinkovich after her side humbled the Roses this morning should strike fear in the hearts of all netball nations: “There’s definitely room for improvement.”
Speaking moments after the final in Leeds, Marinkovich’s bold statement reflected the Diamonds’ quest for perfection as it looks to defend its World Cup and Commonwealth Games crowns in the coming years.
“Oh, there’s definitely room for improvement but I think right here, right now, I just want to embrace what they’ve been able to achieve,” she told Sky Sports UK.
“It’s a great way to start the season and we’ll go back and see where we need to go,” Marinkovich said.
The win itself was a result of graft, the world champion coach said.
“I knew that we were really focused on the hard work. I think they pride themselves in it. We knew it’s hard to win (in UK). It’s hard to win international netball and that’s been our theme,” she said.
The Diamonds “came out of the blocks hard and built momentum”, Marinkovich said.
“Everyone kept supporting each other. And then to be able to inject the changes and keep winning the fourth quarter … it’s really pleasing,” she said.
Marinkovich said the side’s strong “squad mentality”, which allows such changes, is driven by captain Liz Watson and the playing group.
“We’ve got players back home that when they come in, they train exceptionally hard. So everything builds and pushes the team that actually steps out on the court and it’s something they’ve really grasped hold of and they own.”
‘CLINICAL’ HADLEY NAMED BEST
Australia’s “calming, consistent” contributor, vice-captain Paige Hadley, was named player of the Nations Cup.
Ex-England international and UK superleague coach Tamsin Greenway, who selected the winner, said Hadley was brilliant across the series.
As the starting centre in the final, Hadley had 14 goal assists, 22 feeds (15 with an attempt) and also snagged two interprets. She gave away just one penalty in three quarters.
“She had a massive impact in huge, pressure games and been clinical when she’s started,” Greenway, speaking exclusively to Fox Netball after the match, said.
“Her vision, drives and feeds have been impressive and impossible to stop. And she’s brought out the best in the others around her,” she said.
“I was most impressed with how she impacted against England last weekend and against Uganda. She brought the best out of Kate Moloney too.
“She’s pushed herself into the starting line-up and has become a vital player in the squad, allowing Moloney, Liz Watson and Donnell Wallam in particular to shine. I also love her ‘chat’, as she’s so open and positive, but real,” Greenway said.
THIRLBY ‘OUTFOXED TACTICALLY’
The performance of English coach Jess Thirlby is perhaps the thorniest issue to emerge from the Roses’ 20-goal loss.
Former BBC netball writer Denise Evans said Thirlby’s surprise starting line in Leeds – which saw an injured Imogen Allison sent to centre and Funmi Fadoju start at wing defence – rang alarm bells.
“I genuinely thought Thirlby would pick the same line-up that had served her well in the pool rounds, Amy Carter at centre and using Funmi as an impact player in defence … and on reflection, the game was lost before the first centre pass,” she said.
“Did Thirlby hear the calls for Funmi to start and found a way to shoe-horn her in? It was a shame, because she was bossing as an impact sub. And Allison? She didn’t look fit enough to start, let alone at centre,” Evans said, reflecting the frustration of many English fans on social media.
“Thirlby’s been accused of being a reactive coach in the past but this series, she lulled us into thinking she would show faith in ‘consistent sevens’ on-court and change it up if necessary.
“But she didn’t, it was the same old changes, changes, changes – except the ones she needed to make, such as taking Nat Metcalf off at quarter-time after it was clear the Aussies had her number,” Evans said.
It appears England has learned little since losing the World Cup final to the Diamonds in Cape Town last year, she added.
“Thirlby made some great calls in this tournament, but some questionable ones coupled with some heavy dips in performance from most players at certain points, especially across the final, has been the Roses’ downfall.
“Their heads are down and Thirlby, in my opinion, was out-foxed tactically. She can blame individual errors and not sticking to game plan and of course the former plays a part. But her game plan is quite possibly the bigger issue,” Evans said.
HOUSBY: WINNING MINDSET KEY
England must maintain a “we can win” mindset, according to star shooter Helen Housby.
“That expectation to win is really important and this young group have got such a great expectation,” Housby, who was below her best in the final, shooting just 27/30 and
recording four turnovers, said post-game.
“They’ve grown up seeing the Roses successful and seeing them beat Australia and New Zealand. I certainly didn’t really grow up with that as much and it’s nice to see that mindset shift.
“It’s about being uncomfortable and learning to deal with it and those occasions out there with the big crowd and the Aussies are taking it to you.
Diamonds down Uganda in Leeds | 01:09
“It’s about finding the little, small wins that you can find and grinding out goals when you don’t really feel like it. That comes with experience and I think it’s a great step for us,” she said.
Housby described the series overall as awesome for England.
“A lot of these girls haven’t played against the likes of Australia, New Zealand and Uganda so in that respect, I think it’s been awesome,” she said.
The final was “definitely disappointing”, Housby said. “Credit to the Aussies. They played a great game and it was very difficult for us to get ball off them,” she said.
“I think you could probably tell that we’re a little bit tired from yesterday and that’s going to be the nature of if we play at a World Cup or Commonwealth Games. You do have to back it up and unfortunately, they were stronger than us,” she said.
Discussion about this post