Netball SA Stadium, 8:30pm Thursday, Court 3
While the winner of this match continues
through to week 2 of the 2012 Subway Cup finals series, the defeated sides’ season
will end.
These two teams will be desperate to
continue their finals campaign. Health and Life Phoenix were only just
reinstated into premier league netball at the start of the 2012 season. The
Royal Cougars have been finals netball outcasts for over a decade.
This sets up what should be an entertaining
match and if both sides play to their full potential, it should also be a very
close match.
Inconsistency is the word that perfectly
describes each of these sides’ 2012 season. Both teams ended the season with 8
wins with the Phoenix finishing with a draw against Spring Gully Newton Jaguars
to give them a point more then the Cougars.
The Phoenix will be looking to turn some
recent bad form around after finishing the minor round season with two losses
and a draw. However, they will be
comforted by their season results against the Cougars. The Phoenix are
undefeated against the cougars the season and won each of their matches with
apparent ease. The lowest margin being 8 goals in their round 11 match.
Although results show an inconsistent side,
the Phoenix can take stock knowing their defensive end is in good hands.
Co-captains Dalice Kennedy and Luka Thompson, along with Nadia Mapunda and
Edwina Gosse manufacture excellent defensive pressure. The outcome is often a
hesitant opposition attack, forcing loose, searching passes that either go over
the sideline or into intercepting hands.
The Cougars boast a defence of formidable
height that will serve them well in the circle against the Phoenix shooting
trio comprising Kylie Jarrett, Mel Rowland and Mel Gibb. The return of Amehlia
Schmidt from Thunderbirds duties is timely for the side adding greater
flexibility to a defence that includes Tamsin Petzer, Sarah Klau and Ashton
Hurn. Their height closes space and forces opposing sides into hesitant
decision making, with Hurn deadly at picking up loose passes.
The mid-court battle will feature some
determined competitors and are closely matched. However, the key for both sides
in the mid-court comes down to one player, Leigh Waddington.
Waddington has been superb during the
Subway Cup this year and her good form warranted a call up to the Thunderbirds
bench late in their season. Waddington’s combinations with Hurn and goal
attack/wing attack Jo Nixon have become stronger throughout the season.
The Phoenix have a hard working mid-court
with Gosse, Kate Kilpatrick and Erin Scheepens. Kilpatrick provides good drive
up the court while Scheepens and Gosse are good at working their way into space
to provide a receiving option, often getting their side out of trouble.
The Phoenix main shooting target is Kylie
Jarrett. She scored 473 goals in the minor rounds, second to Laura Packard.
After suffering a bout of injury late in the season, Jarrett was back to her
best in their round 22 match against Jags scoring 39 from 42 attempts. Joining
her in the circle will either be Thunderbird squad member Mel Rowland or Mel
Gibb, both are likely to feature during the match. The Phoenix GA usually goes
looking for the ball outside the circle to give Jarrett a one-on-one contest where
she can use her strength.
When it comes to shooting flexibility no
team is better served than the Cougars. Coach Scott Waddington used four
shooters in their round 22 win against Woods Panthers and while injury cut
their stocks throughout the season, they seem to be back their full compliment.
Jessica Roberts has been their main goal scorer with 413 goals this season.
However, the Cougars are likely to explore all their options consisting of
Laura Marslen, Sarah Carver and Caroline Davey.
The importance of this match is obvious,
winner stays in the hunt for premiership glory while the loser is eliminated.
The fans of these two teams could be in for
an intense experience on Thursday night as both sides have the ability to play
entertaining netball with plenty of momentum swings. It just depends on if they
can play consistently for 4 quarters of netball.
Previous
Results:
Round 4: Phoenix 58 d Cougars 44
Round 11: Phoenix 52 d Cougars 44
Round 18: Phoenix 58 d Cougars 43
Last
5 Matches:
Phoenix: W L L B D
Cougars: L W B B W
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