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Cairns Netball: Rising star unfazed by daunting test

Saints coach Gerri Bray is expecting another big game from rising star Halia Cowley, following on from one of her most determined performances.

Saints coach Gerri Bray is expecting another big game from rising star Halia Cowley, following on from one of her most determined performances.

The teenager had the tough task of marking Fierce goal shooter and Australian basketball representative Cayla ­George, but refused to let the 193cm tall Australian Olym­pian intimidate her.

Saints' Halia Cowley. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN
Saints' Halia Cowley. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

Despite George’s dominance in the shooting circle in the 55-16 loss, Cowley did not shy away from the challenge.

“She got out there and she just did her job,” Bray said.

“She played magnificently as one of our young players and was like a bull at a gate.

“She’s playing like a real Div 1 player, going for every ball on every play.

“Her netball smarts are just flourishing week to week.”

Bray expects to learn a lot about how much her team has developed during Wednesday night’s Senior Division 1 clash against Sharks.

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The coach said the side would take lessons from last week’s 55-16 thrashing at the hands of Phoenix Fierce into their round-four match against the defending premiers.

“There are different stra­tegies that come with those higher-level teams — more zoning on and off and things like that, versus the basic one-on-one defence,” she said.

“Phoenix was a very good insight for us, especially for our training this week.

“We’ve been looking at different strategies to get around and game plans, which we’ll look to put into play.”

THE DRAW

Senior Division 1 — Round 4

6pm

Saints v Sharks on Court 7

Fierce v Leprechauns on Court 1

7.20pm

Tigers v Cutters on Court 2

Originally published as Cairns Netball: Rising star unfazed by daunting test

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/cairns-netball-rising-star-unfazed-by-daunting-test/news-story/d989cf9864ecd1f53b4fb8c4724b13f5