‘When not if’: Legend ‘surprised’ by Netball World Cup snub as Aussie faces huge call
One of the Australia’s brightest netball talents was surprisingly overlooked for the World Cup, and she could soon be playing for the old enemy.
An England netball great says the Roses “missed an opportunity” to pick Super Shot specialist Sasha Glasgow for this year’s World Cup and take the rising star out of Australia’s grasp.
Glasgow, 24, was the Grand Final MVP in West Coast Fever’s maiden Super Netball premiership last year and has gone from strength to strength again from long range this season.
The goal attack has stepped out of the shadow of powerhouse goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler, becoming the Fever’s go-to shooter in the last five minutes of quarters when shots from the Super Shot arc are worth two points.
Glasgow has shot the most Super Shots of any player this season (60 from 90 attempts), just ahead of Swifts shooter Helen Housby (59/87).
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She’s yet to make her international debut but thanks to her parents’ heritage, Glasgow is eligible to represent either Australia or England.
So eyebrows were raised when neither country selected Glasgow in their initial squads for July’s Netball World Cup in South Africa.
Australia’s shooting selections are far from locked in, with Sophie Garbin and Donnell Wallam vying for the fourth spot in the squad alongside likely trio of Steph Wood, Cara Koenen and Kiera Austin.
Glasgow is yet declare her intention to play for England or Australia, but a former teammate says the Roses or Diamonds could regret if they don’t snap her up soon.
Fox Netball expert commentator Stacey-Francis Bayman, who played alongside Glasgow in Fever’s premiership-winning side, was surprised Glasgow wasn’t in a World Cup squad.
“Yeah I was surprised and certainly disappointed on her behalf,” Francis-Bayman told news.com.au.
“I think it’s potentially an opportunity missed, especially based on Jo Harten stepping away and retiring. For me, it isn’t necessarily the fact there isn’t a Super Shot at international level.
“You’re still under pressure and you need the ability to shoot from anywhere in the circle.
“Helen Housby is obviously a Super Shot threat and on the international stage, you want the ball to go into the circle and the shooters to have the confidence to put the ball up from wherever they land.
“Because she has the ability to shoot from long range — it’s a massive strength and weapon for the Roses and Sasha would have absolutely added to that.”
Francis-Bayman said it was a matter of “when, not if” Glasgow gets the call up for international netball
“It’s obviously great for her to have those two options,” said Francis-Bayman, who played 73 times for England.
“As an athlete, all you can do is take care of your own performances. She’s in one of the best teams in the competition and having a standout season that’s not new form.
“She’s continued to get better and you’d hope you’d get rewarded with an international call-up but unfortunately that has happened.
“Whilst it’s incredibly disappointing for me, it’s a case of when, not if because she’s more than capable.”
Glasgow has perfected the art of the Super Shot and nailed a mammoth 14 two-pointers in Fever’s recordbreaking 97-63 win over the Queensland Firebirds earlier this month.
“Her individual performance (against the Firebirds) was incredible,” Francis-Bayman said, adding the Fever had changed their game plan to get the ball in Glasgow’s hands as much as possible in the Super Shot period.
“Although Sasha has always been a fantastic two point shooter and a threat, I feel like Fever have changed their game plan in that strategy,” she said.
“They’re using a weapon they already have and making it even more deadly. It was quite cool to watch.
“There’s clear intent to pretty much make every shot a two (Super Shot attempt). In the past, the intent has been to score a one and if a two is on, then it’s a bit of a bonus.
“The intent quite clearly is to go for two. They’re happy to recycle the ball in and out of the circle with the intent of punishing on the scoreboard in the Super Shot period.
“Fever have everything in their favour when it come to that. Sasha’s incredible accuracy to be able to score the Super Shots, her resilience to go for them even if she has missed and also to have a Jhaniele Fowler under the post and make missed attempts a less risky option. It’s taking the Fever game plan to a new level coming into the second half of the year.”
All four of Fever’s losses this season have been by just one point, but Francis-Bayman is confident her old side can go back-to-back.
“Yes, Fever are absolutely capable of going back to back but there will be at least three teams that will have something to say about that,” she said.
“They are absolutely capable of and looking for sustained success.”
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