Adelaide Thunderbirds youngster Maisie Nankivell also rising star in AFLW
Maisie Nankivell has emerged as a rising star for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, but there will be no rest after the Super Netball season.
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Adelaide Thunderbirds youngster Maisie Nankivell is confident she can continue to combine her blossoming netball career with life as an Adelaide Crow in the AFLW.
Nankivell, who has re-signed with the Crows for next season, is also hoping to pick up a Super Netball contract with the Thunderbirds for 2020 after pushing her case with impressive performances when promoted from the training partner group.
The wing defence made her second appearance in the starting seven when she stood former Diamonds’ champion Kim Green in the clash against Netball Giants in Mile End on Sunday.
It was always going to be a physical battle against the veteran and such was the influence of Nankivell, Green was replaced at half-time.
The game was a bruising encounter which Nankivell compared to a football game, although she claims the physicality was not over the top.
“I ended up on the court four or five times, but I love the physical matches,” she said. “The games are fast paced and the physicality is not intentional, but that is why you play sport, you want to beat your opponent.
“I got the call from (Thunderbirds coach) Tania (Obst) early in the week and she said it was well deserved and to just go out there, have a crack and enjoy.
“I did not tell my family I was starting, they were coming to watch and I wanted to surprise them. I kept it on the down low.
“As a training partner I didn’t expect to get many quarters. But I wanted to show I can rise to the occasion, as well as enjoy the opportunity.”
The Thunderbirds meet Sunshine Coast Lightning in Queensland on Saturday night in their final game for the season and Nankivell will then have two weeks rest before transitioning back into football.
This year was a trial for Nankivell as to whether she could play two high level sports and it has gone “quite well”.
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However, she said everyone would need to be on the same page in terms of her load management and ensuring she got the best out of herself at both sports.
“I want to keep playing both,” she said. “I’ve made it clear I want to keep doing both sports for as long as possible.
“Being a training partner with the Thunderbirds made it a little easier for the football, but if I get a contract next season it may make things a little more difficult.
“I think it is manageable. It is a full on year and I don’t get that much time off. I just need to make sure I enjoy both sports and the head space is positive and I’m wanting to play, which is where it is at the moment.”