Adelaide Thunderbirds to chase replacement for injured midcourter Cobden
Youngster Maisie Nankivell is in the Adelaide Thunderbirds’ line-up to face Collingwood but the search for a Beth Cobden replacement is set to pick up pace.
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Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst has not ruled out bringing another import into the squad to replace England star Beth Cobden.
Thunderbirds training partner Maisie Nankivell has been promoted to the 10-person team for the clash against Collingwood in Melbourne on Friday night.
But the search for a replacement for Cobden, who will miss the rest of the Super Netball season after rupturing her ACL against Melbourne Vixens on Saturday, will gain momentum over the weekend and Obst suggested the club could hunt outside South Australia.
“We have had early discussions, but the focus has been around Beth and ensuring she has appropriate care and plans put in place for her,” Obst said.
“Whether we look outside the state or country, we will make some calls on that probably within the next week.
“We are not going to bring someone in just to fill the spot. They need to tick the boxes and ideally the replacement for Beth will be like for like.
“There are not many of those around and we will give it more thought over the weekend.”
Cobden returned to the court nine months after having her second knee reconstruction for the opening round four weeks back.
Obst is confident the club did not put her at further risk and she had passed all the testing necessary to be selected.
“Any elite athlete is at a risk of injury,” Obst said. “Every step from when she had the operation and started rehab in England was thoroughly checked and ticked off.
“With the transition to our medical staff, we checked every marker as well. She passed everything she needed to and unfortunately it is one of those things.”
Cobden will also miss the World Cup in July and Obst, the England assistant coach, said head coach Tracey Neville was obviously devastated for the wing defence specialist.
Thunderbirds co-captain Chelsea Pitman has completed a full week of training and is ready to start against the Magpies despite leaving the Vixens contest in the second quarter due to a calf issue.
Pitman said she felt something change in the calf and left the game as a precaution.
“I’m not worried about it, not at all,” she said.
Nankivell’s ability to play all three midcourt roles gives the side flexibility, according to Obst.
“I don’t think Collingwood would be happy with what they put out last weekend (loss to Giants Netball) and will be looking to make amends,” Obst said.
“We feel if we can execute the gameplan and identify areas we can be stronger than them, we can absolutely take this game.”
THUNDERBIRDS V MAGPIES
Melbourne, Friday, 6.30pm
Thunderbirds
GS Sasha Glasgow
GA Maria Folau
WA Chelsea Pitman
C Kelly Altmann
WD Kate Shimmin
GD Layla Guscoth
GK Shamera Sterling
Bench: Hannah Petty, Cody Lange, Maisie Nankivell
Magpies
GS Shimona Nelson
GA Nat Medhurst
WA Kelsey Browne
C Kim Ravaillion
WD Ash Brazill
GD April Brandley
GK Geva Mentor
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