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Cairns Netball: Fierce aim to knock Sharks off Senior Division 1 perch

Phoenix Fierce co-captain Tarin Moke is looking forward to getting a second crack at Sharks when the Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 competition resumes on Wednesday night.

Phoenix Fierce co-captain Tarin Moke is looking forward to getting a second crack at Sharks when the Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 competition resumes on Wednesday night.

The defending premiers were too strong for the Fierce the last time the two teams met, but Moke is confident her side can reverse the result this time around, saying they had come a long way since the 49-37 loss in the first game of the season.

“Our team cohesion has been a lot better over the past few weeks, just getting to know each other, how everyone plays and what combinations do and don’t work,” she said.

“Hopefully we can just keep a level head and not try to play at their pace.”

Former Sharks player Salmui Whap-Farrar in control for the Fierce in the Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 match between the Phoenix Fierce and the Brothers Leprechauns in Round 4. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE
Former Sharks player Salmui Whap-Farrar in control for the Fierce in the Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 match between the Phoenix Fierce and the Brothers Leprechauns in Round 4. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Top spot on the ladder and an important psychological victory over their biggest title threat will be up for grabs on Wednesday night, with both teams likely to meet at the business end of the campaign.

Sharks are the only team to notch a win against the Fierce this season and remain undefeated through five rounds of their 2019 title defence.

“They know where each other is going to be and their defensive structures are really strong,” Moke said.

“It’s going to be a really tough game — it could go down to the last minute — but we’re just looking forward to having another good contest against them.

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Fierce’s Jade Kennedy in the Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 match between the Phoenix Fierce and the Cairns Saints in Round 3. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE
Fierce’s Jade Kennedy in the Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 match between the Phoenix Fierce and the Cairns Saints in Round 3. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“If it doesn’t go our way, that’s fine, we’ll just keep working on ourselves and hopefully we’ll get them later on in the year.”

The Fierce’s Jade Kennedy will return from a knee injury in the top-of-the-table clash, while Sharks’ 2019 premiership winner Salmui Whap-Farrah will line up against her old club for the first time.

“She’s definitely one of those young guns that can really make an impact on the game,” Moke said.

THE DRAW

Senior Division 1 — Round 6

Saints v Cutters on Court 1

Fierce v Sharks on Court 7

Leps v Tigers on Court 6

*All games start at 6pm

Originally published as Cairns Netball: Fierce aim to knock Sharks off Senior Division 1 perch

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/cairns-netball-fierce-aim-to-knock-sharks-off-senior-division-1-perch/news-story/87fb86580c8b6b322f785cb1de73d861